JP5076885B2 - ink cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge for containing ink.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink cartridges that can be mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as “recording apparatus”) are known. The ink cartridge is provided with an ink chamber for containing ink and a connection portion for leading out the ink. When the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge housing portion provided in the recording apparatus, the needle provided in the cartridge housing portion is inserted into the connection portion, and ink is supplied from the ink chamber to the recording device.

  Generally, in an unused ink cartridge, the inside of the ink chamber is maintained at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, if the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus while the ink chamber is maintained at a low pressure, the ink backflow may occur, and the meniscus of the nozzle of the recording head may be destroyed. For this reason, this type of ink cartridge is provided with a through-hole for making the pressure in the ink cartridge equal to the atmosphere, in addition to the connection portion (see Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3). The through hole is closed with a seal member or the like when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the recording apparatus. Therefore, the user needs to open the through hole in advance before installing the ink cartridge in the recording apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a mechanism for punching the through-hole at an earlier timing than a connection portion when an ink cartridge is mounted on a recording apparatus. According to this mechanism, the pressure in the ink cartridge can be set to atmospheric pressure without performing the operation of previously drilling the through hole.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a valve mechanism that opens and closes the through hole as an example of the seal member. The valve mechanism includes a valve body that can move between a closed position that closes the through hole from the inside and an open position that opens, and a rod that is connected to the valve body and exposed to the outside from the through hole. Have. When the ink cartridge described in Patent Document 3 is attached to the recording apparatus, the rod is pressed and the valve body is pushed into the ink chamber. Thereby, the through hole is opened, and the ink chamber communicates with the outside. The ink cartridge is provided with a cover member that covers and protects the through hole and the connecting portion in order to prevent the rod from being inadvertently pressed.

JP 2007-55218 A JP-A-6-191046 JP 2007-196647 A

  However, all of the mechanisms described in Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3 attempt to open the through hole when the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus. When it does not operate, the connecting portion is opened before the through hole. On the other hand, if the through hole is artificially opened before the ink cartridge is installed in the recording apparatus, the through hole can be surely opened before the connecting portion. There is a need to do. In particular, as described in Patent Document 3, when a cover member is provided on the ink cartridge, a more troublesome work of removing the cover member before opening the through hole is involved.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to easily remove the cover member attached to the main body and to install the main body before being attached to the recording apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge capable of reliably and easily opening a hole provided in the ink cartridge.

(1) The present invention is configured as an ink cartridge including a main body, a first member, a second member, a guide means, and a holding means. The main body has an ink chamber in which ink is stored, and a first wall that partitions the ink chamber. The first member is configured to be movable between a first position spaced from the first wall and a second position closer to the first wall than the first position . The guiding means guides the first member from the first position to the second position. The second member is engaged with the main body when the first member is in the first position, and the second member is connected to the main body in conjunction with the movement of the first member from the first position to the second position. The engagement is released . The holding means holds the first member so as not to move from the first position toward the second position . The guide means includes a protruding piece provided on the first member, and a first slit provided on the second member so that the protruding piece can be inserted therethrough. The holding means has a second slit that is formed so that the protruding piece can be inserted through the first slit and extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first slit. In the ink cartridge of the present invention, the first member in the second position opens the hole provided in the first wall, and the ink chamber communicates with the atmosphere.

  When the ink cartridge is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus, the first member and the second member are removed from the main body. The engaged state between the main body and the second member is released by operating the first member. The first member is provided to be movable between the first position and the second position. When the first member moves, the first member is guided from the first position to the second position by the guide means. For example, when the first member is pressed in the movement direction, the first member is guided from the first position to the second position. The second member can engage with the main body based on the position of the first member, and the second member engages with the main body when the first member is in the first position. When the first member reaches the second position, the second member releases the engagement with the main body, and communicates the ink chamber to the atmosphere through the hole provided in the first wall. That is, at the second position, the engagement release and the atmospheric communication are simultaneously performed by the second member.

  The first member configured to be movable as described above easily moves in the moving direction when pressed from the outside. Therefore, if the first member is pushed by mistake, the hole may be opened by mistake. In the ink cartridge of the present invention, the holding member can hold the first member at a predetermined position of the guide means. Thereby, the movement of the first member is restricted. As a result, malfunction of the first member is prevented.

By inserting the protruding piece of the first member into the second slit in advance, the movement of the first member is restricted. Thereby, malfunction of the 1st member is prevented.

(2) In the first slit, the second slit extends from both or one of the first end corresponding to the first position and the second end corresponding to the second position. The ink cartridge described in 1.

  In the case where the second slit extends from the first end, the movement of the first member can be restricted in a state of being in the first position by inserting the protruding piece into the second slit.

  Moreover, when the 2nd slit is extended from the 2nd end, the movement of a 1st member can be controlled in the state in a 2nd position by inserting a protrusion piece in a 2nd slit. When the first member is in the second position, the engagement of the second member with the main body is released. In this state, when the protruding piece is inserted into the second slit to restrict the movement of the first member and the first member is pulled away from the first wall, the first member and the second member are removed from the main body.

(3) The first slit extends in a direction inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the first wall.

  According to this configuration, the first member is guided by the first slit in a direction perpendicular to the first wall (vertical direction) and a rotation direction centered on the vertical direction. That is, the first member can move in a direction perpendicular to the first wall (vertical direction), and can rotate about the vertical direction as it moves in the vertical direction. Thus, the first member can be moved from the first position to the second position by an extremely simple operation of pushing the first member in the vertical direction and twisting it in the rotational direction. Thereby, the disengagement operation | work of engagement with a 2nd member and a main body and the opening operation | work of a hole can be performed easily.

(4) The ink cartridge of the present invention further includes a seal member that closes the hole. In this case, it is preferable that the first member opens the hole by pressing the seal member at the second position.

(5) The seal member includes a lid member movable to a third position for opening the hole and a fourth position for closing the hole, and a first elasticity for elastically supporting the lid member toward the fourth position side. Member. In this case, the first member moves the lid member toward the third position against the elastic force of the first elastic member as the first member moves from the first position to the second position. preferable.

(6) The ink cartridge of the present invention is provided slidably with respect to the main body, and is between a fifth position spaced from the first wall and a sixth position closer to the first wall than the fifth position. And a second elastic member that is interposed between the main body and the slide member and elastically supports the slide member in a direction away from the first wall. The slide member is held at the sixth position against the elastic force of the second elastic member in a state where the second member is engaged with the main body, and the engagement of the second member with the main body is released. When it is done, it receives the elastic force of the second elastic member and moves to the fifth position.

(7) The ink cartridge of the present invention is embodied by having the following configuration. That is, according to the present invention, a main body having at least a first wall that partitions an ink chamber in which ink is stored, a hole formed in the first wall and communicating the ink chamber and the outside, and the hole is opened. A lid member movable to a third position and a fourth position closing the hole; a first elastic member elastically supporting the lid member toward the fourth position; and slidable with respect to the main body. A slide member movable between a fifth position spaced from the first wall and a sixth position closer to the first wall than the fifth position, and interposed between the main body and the slide member A second elastic member that elastically supports the slide member in a direction away from the first wall, a first position that is separated from the first wall, and a second position that is closer to the first wall than the first position. A first member movable between the first member and the first member in the first position In some cases, the hole is covered and engaged with the main body to hold the slide member in the sixth position against the elastic force of the second elastic member, and the first member is in the second position. A second member that releases the hole by releasing the engagement to the main body and moving the lid member toward the third position against the elastic force of the first elastic member. A projecting piece provided in the first member, the first slit provided in the second member so that the projecting piece can be inserted, and the projecting piece can be inserted in succession to the first slit. The ink cartridge includes a second slit extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first slit.

  According to the present invention, the hole can be surely opened before the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus. In addition, the first member and the second member attached to the main body of the ink cartridge can be easily removed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, the following embodiment is only an example which actualized this invention, and it cannot be overemphasized that embodiment can be changed suitably in the range which does not change the summary of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external shape of an ink cartridge 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view seen from the front side in the insertion direction 30, and FIG. The perspective view seen from the back side of the insertion direction 30 is shown. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 10. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ink cartridge 10. In FIG. 3B, the container body 20 is indicated by a broken line.

  The ink cartridge 10 (an example of the ink cartridge of the present invention) is used by being mounted on a recording apparatus typified by an ink jet printer. Although not described in detail, the ink cartridge 10 is configured to be detachable from a cartridge housing portion included in the recording apparatus. Inserted and mounted in the insertion direction 30 "). When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 10 can be supplied to the recording head of the recording apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 10 is configured as a substantially hexahedron having a flat shape. Specifically, the ink cartridge 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31) and whose height direction (the direction of the arrow 32) and depth direction (the direction of the arrow 33) are longer than the width direction. Has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink cartridge 10 is roughly divided into a container main body 20 (an example of the main body of the present invention), a housing 26, a slider 27 (an example of the slide member of the present invention), and a coil spring. 23, 24 (an example of the second elastic member of the present invention). The exterior of the ink cartridge 10 includes a housing 26 and a slider 27.

  The housing 26 protects the container body 20. The housing 26 covers substantially the entire surface excluding the front surface 41 of the container body 20 (the surface on the front side in the insertion direction 30). The housing 26 includes a first cover 21 and a second cover 22 that sandwich the container body 20 from two directions (left and right directions in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, the first cover 21 is attached to the right side surface 46 (the right side surface as viewed from the front side in the insertion direction 30) of the container body 20. Specifically, the plurality of engagement claws 12 provided on the inner surface of the first cover 21 are fitted into the engagement grooves 13 formed in the container body 20, so that the first cover 21 is attached to the container body 20. It is done. As a result, the first cover 21 covers the right side surface 46 of the container body 20. On the other hand, the second cover 22 is attached to the left side surface 45 of the container body 20 (the left side as viewed from the front side in the insertion direction 30) by the same attachment method as the first cover 21. Thereby, the left side surface 45 of the container body 20 is covered by the second cover 22. The covers 21 and 22 are formed in a shape that does not interfere with the frame 50, the atmosphere communication valve 80 (an example of the seal member of the present invention), the ink supply valve 90, and the like constituting the container body 20.

  The slider 27 is detachably attached to the container main body 20 with coil springs 23 and 24 interposed between the slider 27 and the container main body 20. In the present embodiment, the coil spring 23 is attached to the spring receiver 23A drilled in the upper part of the front surface 41 of the container body 20, and the coil spring 24 is attached to the spring receiver 24A drilled in the lower part of the front surface 41. The engaging claws 15, 16 provided on the main body 20 are inserted into the sliding grooves 17, 18 formed on the slider 27, so that the front portion (front portion in the insertion direction 30) 28 of the housing 26 is moved. A slider 27 is attached so as to cover it. The attachment mechanism of the slider 27 will be described in detail later.

  In the present embodiment, the slider 27 is provided so as to slide in the depth direction (longitudinal direction, the direction of the arrow 33) along the front portion 28 of the housing 26. FIG. 3A shows a state where the slider 27 is in the sixth position (corresponding to the sixth position of the present invention) closest to the front surface 41 of the container main body 20, and FIG. ) Shows a state where the slider 27 is in the fifth position (corresponding to the fifth position of the present invention) away from the front surface 41 of the container body 20. When the slider 27 is slid and disposed at the sixth position, the ink supply valve 90 is exposed from the slider 27 to the outside through the opening 111 formed in the slider 27. On the other hand, when the slider 27 is slid and disposed at the fifth position, the ink supply valve 90 is immersed in the slider 27. A mechanism (sliding mechanism) for sliding the slider 27 with respect to the housing 26 will be described in detail later.

  Next, the container body 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the container body 20. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the internal structure of the container body 20. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the container body 20. In FIG. 6, the film 65 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the container body 20 has an outer shape substantially the same shape as that of the ink cartridge 10, and is configured as a substantially hexahedron having a flat shape. When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in a cartridge housing portion (not shown) of the recording apparatus, the container body 20 is housed in the cartridge housing portion with the slider 27 in the sixth position (see FIG. 3A). It is done. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the container main body 20, the front surface in the insertion direction 30 is the front surface 41, the rear surface in the insertion direction 30 is the rear surface 42, and the vertically upper side. This surface is referred to as the upper surface 43, and the vertically lower surface as the lower surface 44. Further, two surfaces adjacent to the front surface 41, the rear surface 42, the upper surface 43, and the lower surface 44 and facing each other are referred to as a left side surface 45 and a right side surface 46. Here, when viewed from the front 41, the left side is the left side 45 and the right side is the right side 46. In the present embodiment, the pair of left side surface 45 and right side surface 46 has a maximum area in the container body 20.

  The container body 20 is roughly divided into a frame 50, an arm 70, a support block 170, a protection member 150, an atmosphere communication valve 80, an ink supply valve 90, and a film 65 (see FIG. 7). Yes.

  The frame 50 is a member constituting the casing of the container body 20 and forms the six surfaces 41 to 46 of the container body 20. Therefore, the six surfaces 41 to 46 of the container body 20 coincide with the six surfaces of the frame 50. In the following, each surface of the frame 50 is shown using the reference numerals attached to each surface of the container body 20.

  The frame 50 is made of a translucent transparent or translucent resin material, and can be obtained, for example, by injection molding a resin material. In the present embodiment, the frame 50 is made of polypropylene. Polyacetal, nylon or the like can be used as the resin material.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the frame 50 includes an outer peripheral wall 51 and a plurality of inner walls 52. The inner wall 52 is disposed inside the outer peripheral wall 51. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner wall 52 are integrally formed as a frame 50. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner wall 52 are provided from the left side 45 to the right side 46 of the container body 20. The outer peripheral wall 51 is annularly arranged along the front surface 41, the upper surface 43, the rear surface 42, and the lower surface 44 so as to form a space therein. Thereby, an opening 57 is formed in each of the left side surface 45 and the right side surface 46 of the frame 50. That is, the left side 45 and the right side 46 of the frame 50 are open.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a thin film 65 made of a transparent resin is welded to each of the left side surface 45 and the right side surface 46 of the frame 50 by a well-known thermal welding method. Specifically, the film 65 is welded to both end portions in the width direction 31 of the outer peripheral wall 51. Thereby, the opening 57 is closed by the film 65, and the space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51 and the film 65 is partitioned as the ink chamber 100. Ink is stored in the ink chamber 100 thus partitioned. Instead of the frame 50, for example, it is possible to use a container-like frame in which only one side surface is opened. In this case, the ink chamber 100 is partitioned by welding the open surface of the vessel-shaped frame with the film 65.

  The inner wall 52 is disposed in a region surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51. In the frame 50, a partition plate 53 that partitions the upper space of the ink chamber 100 at the center in the width direction 31 is provided integrally with the outer peripheral wall 51. The inner wall 52 is provided integrally with the outer peripheral wall 51 or the partition plate 53. The film 65 is also welded to both end portions of the inner wall 52 in the width direction 31. Thereby, the bending of the film 65 can be suppressed. Even if the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 are deformed to the container body 20 side, the deformation of the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 is restricted by the inner wall 52. Thereby, damage to the container main body 20 and the film 65 is reduced. Note that the lower portion of the ink chamber 100, that is, the space 102 (see FIG. 7) below the partition plate 53 is not partitioned across the width direction 31 because the arm 70 and the support block 170 are disposed. It penetrates from the left side 45 to the right side 46.

  The film 65 is configured by laminating a plurality of synthetic resin films and has a multilayer structure. Specifically, the film 65 has three layers in which a first sheet made of polypropylene, a second sheet made of nylon, and a third sheet made of polyethylene terephthalate are sequentially laminated from the ink chamber 100 side outward. It has a structure. That is, the first sheet on the ink chamber 100 side is made of the same material (polypropylene) as the frame 50. In the present embodiment, the synthetic resin film 65 is used. However, for example, a thin-walled film configured such that a metal foil is sandwiched between synthetic resin films can be used. Of course, a film made of a material other than synthetic resin (pulp, metal, natural resin, etc.) may be used.

  A bearing rib 74 (see FIG. 7) is erected at the center of the outer peripheral wall 51 in the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31). As shown in FIG. 7, the bearing rib 74 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 51 near the corner formed by the front surface 41 and the lower surface 44. The bearing rib 74 is erected on the end portion of the outer peripheral wall 51 on the right side surface 46 side. A circular hole-shaped bearing 67 is formed on the surface of the bearing rib 74 on the left side surface 45 side. As shown in FIG. 7, a cylindrical shaft 77 is fitted into the bearing 67, and the shaft hole 78 of the arm 70 is inserted into the shaft 77.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ink injection portion 105 is formed on the rear surface 42 of the frame 50. The ink injection unit 105 is a circular hole that is drilled from the rear surface 42 toward the ink chamber 100. The ink injection portion 105 is formed integrally with the frame 50 near the lower end of the rear surface 42. The ink injection unit 105 communicates with the ink chamber 100. Ink is injected into the ink chamber 100 through the ink injection unit 105. As an ink injection method, a reduced pressure injection method (also called a vacuum injection method) is employed in order to increase the degree of deaeration in the ink chamber 100 and prevent the generation of bubbles in the ink chamber 100. Specifically, before injecting ink into the ink chamber 100, the air in the ink chamber 100 is sucked and exhausted to reduce the pressure in the ink chamber 100 to a pressure close to vacuum (first step). Thereafter, ink is injected into the ink chamber 100 using a pressure difference between the inside and outside (second step). After the ink is injected, the pressure in the ink chamber 100 is maintained at a pressure slightly lower than the atmospheric pressure.

  A detection window 140 is formed on the front surface 41 of the frame 50. The detection window 140 is for visually or optically detecting the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100. The detection window 140 is formed integrally with a front wall (corresponding to the first wall of the present invention) constituting the front surface 41 in the frame 50. Therefore, the detection window 140 is made of the same material as that of the frame 50, that is, a translucent transparent or translucent resin material. Therefore, the detection window 140 can transmit light from the outside. The detection window 140 is irradiated with light by an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter attached to the recording apparatus. The optical sensor has a light emitting element and a light receiving element. In the present embodiment, the light emitted from the light emitting element is applied to the side wall 140B, and the detection light transmitted through the side wall 140B is received by the light receiving element.

  The detection window 140 protrudes from the middle of the front surface 41 of the container body 20 toward the outside of the container body 20 (the right side in FIG. 6). As shown in the drawing, the detection window 140 is partitioned by five substantially rectangular wall surfaces, and the inside is formed in a substantially box shape having a hollow shape. Specifically, the detection window 140 is a pair of side walls including a rectangular front wall 140A parallel to the front surface 41 and spaced outward from the front surface 41 by a predetermined distance, and two widthwise sides of the front wall 140A. 140B, the upper wall 140C including the upper side of the front wall 140A, and the lower wall 140D including the lower side of the front wall 140A. Note that the width of the front wall 140 </ b> A (the dimension in the width direction 31) is smaller than the width of the front surface 41.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a space 142 surrounded by a front wall 140A, a side wall 140B, an upper wall 140C, and a lower wall 140D is formed inside the detection window 140. A wall is not provided on the ink chamber 100 side of the detection window 140, and the space 142 continues to the ink chamber 100. An indicator portion 72 of the arm 70 described later enters or leaves the space 142. In FIG. 6, a posture in which the indicator unit 72 enters a predetermined position in the space 142 is indicated by a solid line.

  As shown in FIG. 5, engagement claws 144 are provided on both side walls 140 </ b> B of the detection window 140. The engaging claw 144 is erected vertically outward from the side wall 140B. As shown in FIG. 6, the engaging claw 144 is formed in a downward hook shape in a side view. An engaging claw 272 of an opener 250 (see FIG. 8) described later is engaged with the engaging claw 144.

  An air communication valve 80 is provided above the detection window 140. The air communication valve 80 is configured as a valve mechanism that opens or closes an air communication through hole 81 (see FIG. 7, an example of the hole of the present invention) formed in the upper portion of the front surface 41 of the frame 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the atmospheric communication valve 80 mainly includes a valve main body 87 (an example of a lid member of the present invention) having a rod 88, a coil spring 86 (an example of a first elastic member of the present invention), a seal 83, It is composed of a member such as a cap 85.

  The valve body 87 is separated from the through hole 81 to open the through hole 81 (corresponding to the third position of the present invention), and a closed position (contacting the through hole 81 to close the through hole 81). (Corresponding to the fourth position of the present invention). In the atmosphere communication valve 80, normally, the coil spring 86 elastically biases the valve body 87 toward the closed position. Thereby, the through hole 81 is closed.

  In this embodiment, the opener 250 (refer FIG. 8) mentioned later is comprised with respect to the container main body 20 so that attachment or detachment is possible. When the opener 250 is removed from the container body 20, the atmosphere communication valve 80 is activated to open the through hole 81. As a result, the ink chamber 100 communicates with the atmosphere. That is, the pressure in the ink chamber 100 is the same as the atmospheric pressure. Although the atmospheric communication valve 80 is used as a mechanism for closing the through hole 81, a simple mechanism for closing the through hole 81 with a vinyl adhesive tape or film is used instead of the atmospheric communication valve 80. Is also possible. In this case, the pressure inside the ink chamber becomes atmospheric pressure when the adhesive tape or film is perforated by the rod 294 of the operation member 260 (an example of the first member of the present invention) described later.

  An ink supply valve 90 is provided below the detection window 140. The ink supply valve 90 is configured as a valve mechanism that opens or closes the ink supply through-hole 91 formed in the lower portion of the front surface 41 of the frame 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the ink supply valve 90 is mainly composed of members such as a valve main body 97, a coil spring 96, a spring receiver 94, a seal 93, and a cap 95. The ink supply valve 90 normally closes the through hole 91 in a liquid-tight manner, and when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the recording apparatus, the ink supply valve 90 is operated by an ink needle (not shown), and the through hole 91 is operated. Is released. Thereby, the ink in the ink chamber 100 can be supplied to the recording apparatus side through the ink needle.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a spring receiver 23 </ b> A is formed on the upper side of the atmosphere communication valve 80. A spring receiver 24A is formed below the ink supply valve 90. The spring receiver 23 </ b> A and the spring receiver 24 </ b> A are substantially cylindrical holes that are drilled from the front surface 41 of the frame 50 toward the ink chamber 100. The spring receiver 23A and the spring receiver 24A accommodate the coil spring 23 and the coil spring 24 for elastically urging the slider 27 in the direction away from the front surface 41 (the same direction as the insertion direction 30). Note that the positions of the spring receiver 23A and the spring receiver 24A, the outer diameter or depth of the hole, and the like are elements that are appropriately determined according to the specifications of the coil spring 23 and the coil spring 24 to be accommodated.

  A support portion 115 is provided at the front end portion of the upper surface 43 of the frame 50 in the insertion direction 30. The support part 115 is formed integrally with the frame 50. The support part 115 supports the slider 27 so as to be slidable with respect to the container body 20 and regulates the sliding range of the slider 27. The slider 27 is slidably supported at two points by the support portion 115 and a support portion 116 described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the support portion 115 includes a base portion 118 projecting vertically upward from the upper surface 43, and an upward hook-like engagement claw 15 provided at the tip of the base portion 118 in the insertion direction 30. It is comprised by.

  A support portion 116 having substantially the same shape as the support portion 115 is provided at the front end portion in the insertion direction 30 of the lower surface 44 of the frame 50. This support portion 116 is formed integrally with the frame 50, and a base portion 124 extending vertically downward from the lower surface 44 and a downward hook-like engagement provided at the tip of the base portion 124 in the insertion direction 30. It is comprised by the nail | claw 16. By these support portions 115 and 116, a slide mechanism of the slider 27 is realized.

  The arm 70 is a member for detecting the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100. At one end (first end) of the arm 70, an indicator portion 72 that enters the space 142 or separates from the space 142 is provided. The indicator unit 72 is for indicating the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 100. Further, a float portion 73 is provided at the other end (second end) of the arm 70. The float unit 73 serves as a buoyancy body that generates buoyancy with respect to a liquid such as ink.

  The arm 70 has a shaft hole 78 formed at a substantially central portion thereof. A shaft 77 is inserted through the shaft hole 78. One end of the shaft 77 is supported by a bearing 67 (see FIG. 7) formed on the bearing rib 74. The shaft hole 78 of the arm 70 is inserted through the shaft 77 in a state where the shaft 77 is supported by the bearing 67. Further, a support block 170 is attached so as to sandwich the arm 70 with the bearing rib 74. The support block 170 is provided with a bearing (not shown), and the other end of the shaft 77 is supported by this bearing.

  As a result, the arm 70 is supported in the ink chamber 100 so as to be swingable in the direction of the arrow 35 (see FIG. 6).

  When the ink chamber 100 is not filled with ink, the arm 70 rotates about the shaft 77 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Thereby, the indicator part 72 is separated from the space 142 of the detection window 140. That is, the fact that the indicator portion 72 is separated from the space 142 means that ink is not contained in the ink chamber 100.

  On the other hand, in a state where a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the ink chamber 100, in other words, in a state where the float portion 73 is in the ink liquid, buoyancy is generated in the float portion 73. Due to this buoyancy, the arm 70 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. At this time, the indicator portion 72 enters the space 142 of the detection window 140 and is held in a posture in which the lower end of the indicator portion 72 is in contact with the inner surface of the lower wall 140D. That is, the indicator portion 72 entering the space 142 means that a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the ink chamber 100.

  Since the arm 70 operates as described above, the position of the indicator unit 72 in the space 142 is visually confirmed from the outside of the detection window 140, or is monitored by a photosensor such as a photo interrupter, so that the inside of the ink chamber 100 is detected. It is possible to detect whether or not the amount of ink is greater than a certain amount.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a protection member 150 is attached around the arm 70. The protection member 150 is manufactured by bending a linear steel material such as a wire or a wire, for example. The protective member 150 has a U-shaped portion 150A bent in a U-shape. As shown in FIG. 7, the protection member 150 is formed in a hole (not shown) formed in the bearing rib 74 and the support block 170 by hooking the U-shaped portion 150 </ b> A to the hanging portion 131 formed in the frame 50. The end portion 150B of the protection member 150 is inserted into the hole 183 and is fixed to the frame 50.

  Hereinafter, the slide mechanism of the slider 27 will be described in detail together with the configuration of the slider 27 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the slider 27 is formed in a container shape that can accommodate the front portion 28 of the container body 20. The slider 27 is formed in a flat shape corresponding to the outer shape of the front portion 28. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the slider 27 includes a front wall 161 corresponding to the front surface 41 of the container body 20, an upper wall 163 corresponding to the upper surface 43, and a lower wall 164 corresponding to the lower surface 44. The left side wall 165 corresponding to the left side surface 45 and the right side wall 166 corresponding to the right side surface 46 are provided. A space surrounded by these walls is a storage space for storing the front portion 28.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slider 27 has support bars 168 and 169, sliding grooves 17 and 18, and openings 110 and 111.

  The support bars 168 and 169 support the coil springs 23 and 24 and restrict their expansion / contraction directions. The support bars 168 and 169 are provided on the back surface of the front wall 161, that is, on the facing surface facing the front surface 41 of the container body 20. Specifically, the support bar 168 is provided on the back surface of the upper portion of the front wall 161 at a position corresponding to the spring receiver 23A. Further, the support bar 169 is provided at a position corresponding to the spring receiver 24 </ b> A on the lower back surface of the front wall 161.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the support bars 168 and 169 are configured by rod-like members that protrude from the back surface of the front wall 161 in the depth direction of the container body 20 (in the direction of the arrow 33). When the slider 27 is mounted so as to cover the front portion 28 of the container body 20 in a state where the coil springs 23 and 24 are accommodated in the spring receivers 23A and 24A, the support bars 168 and 169 are inserted into the inner holes of the coil springs 23 and 24, respectively. It is inserted. Accordingly, the coil springs 23 and 24 are supported by the support bars 168 and 169. Further, the expansion and contraction direction of the coil springs 23 and 24 is restricted to the extending direction of the support bars 168 and 169, that is, the depth direction of the container body 20.

  In the present embodiment, the coil springs 23 and 24 are used as so-called compression coil springs. That is, in a state where the slider 27 is mounted on the front portion 28, the coil springs 23 and 24 are compressed and accommodated in the spring receivers 23A and 24A. Therefore, regardless of the slide position of the slider 27, the coil springs 23 and 24 always urge the slider 27 in a direction away from the front surface 41 of the container body 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sliding groove 17 has an upper wall 163 formed in an inverted U shape in a sectional view. As shown in FIG. 4, the support portion 115 is inserted into the sliding groove 17. A projecting piece 120 is formed on the back surface of the upper wall 163, that is, on the facing surface facing the upper surface 43 of the container body 20. A part of the sliding groove 17 is narrowed by the protruding piece 120. On the other hand, in the sliding groove 18, the lower wall 164 is formed in a U shape in a sectional view. As shown in FIG. 4, the support portion 116 is inserted into the sliding groove 18. A protruding piece 126 is formed on the back surface of the lower wall 164, that is, on the facing surface facing the lower surface 44 of the container body 20. A part of the sliding groove 18 is narrowed by the protruding piece 120.

  In the process of mounting the slider 27 on the front portion 28 of the container body 20, the support portion 115 is inserted into the slide groove 17, and the support portion 116 is inserted into the slide groove 18. When the support portion 115 is inserted into the sliding groove 17, the protruding piece 120 and the engaging claw 15 come into contact with each other. When the support portion 115 is further inserted, the engaging claw 15 gets over the protruding piece 120. Once the engaging claw 15 gets over the protruding piece 120, even if an attempt is made to pull out the slider 27, the hook portion of the engaging claw 15 is caught on the protruding piece 120, and the structure cannot be easily extracted. The support part 116 is also inserted into the sliding groove 18 in the same manner as described above.

  In the present embodiment, when the slider 27 is mounted on the front portion 28, the slider 27 is urged by the coil springs 23 and 24 in a direction away from the front surface 41. Therefore, in a state where no external force is applied to the slider 27, the slider 27 slides to the fifth position shown in FIG. 3B and maintains that state. The slider 27 stops at the fifth position when the protruding piece 120 and the engaging claws 15 and 16 are caught. On the other hand, when an external force in the orthogonal direction is applied to the front wall 161 with respect to the slider 27, the slider 27 slides in the direction opposite to the insertion direction 30 relative to the housing 26, as shown in FIG. Arranged in the sixth position.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an opening 110 is provided near the upper end of the front wall 161. The opening 110 is formed at a position corresponding to the atmosphere communication valve 80. The opening 110 is provided so that a guide 254 and a rod 294 provided in an opener 250 (see FIG. 8) described later can be inserted, and is formed in a substantially circular shape.

  An opening 111 is provided near the lower end of the front wall 161. The opening 111 is formed at a position corresponding to the ink supply valve 90. The opening 111 is formed to a size that allows the cap 95 of the ink supply valve 90 to be inserted, and the slider 27 slides from the fifth position (see FIG. 3B) to the sixth position (see FIG. 3A). Then, the cap 95 is exposed from the opening 111 during the sliding process.

  An opener 250 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later, can be detachably mounted on the ink cartridge 10 configured as described above. If the ink cartridge 10 is attached to the recording apparatus while the inside of the ink chamber 100 is maintained at a low pressure, the ink may flow backward from the recording apparatus side and the meniscus of the nozzle of the recording head may be destroyed. Therefore, before the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the recording apparatus, it is necessary to open the through hole 81 formed in the front surface 41 in advance. That is, it is necessary to open the ink chamber 100 to the atmosphere and keep the inside of the ink chamber 100 at the same pressure as the atmospheric pressure. In the present embodiment, a mechanism (communication mechanism) is adopted in which the through hole 81 is opened along with the removal operation of the opener 250 and the ink chamber 100 communicates with the outside.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the opener 250, the mounting mechanism of the opener 250, and the communication mechanism for communicating the ink chamber 100 with the outside will be described in detail with reference to each of FIGS. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the ink cartridge 10 in which the opener 250 is attached to the container body 20. FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the housing 26 and the slider 27 are removed in FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the opener 250. FIGS. 11 to 13 are views showing the main part of the ink cartridge 10 with the opener 250 attached. In each of FIGS. 11 to 13, (A) shows the front surface in the insertion direction 30, (B) shows the side surface around the opener 250, and (C). A cross-sectional structure around the opener 250 is shown.

  The opener 250 is configured to be detachable from the container body 20. The opener 250 covers the atmosphere communication valve 80 and the detection window 140 while being attached to the container body 20. When the opening operation is performed on the opener 250, the opener 250 opens the through hole 81 for air communication in the removing process. Hereinafter, the configuration of the opener 250 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the opener 250 includes a pedestal 256 (an example of the second member of the present invention) and an operation member 260.

  The pedestal 256 is directly attached to the container body 20 as shown in FIG. The direction in which the base 256 is attached to the container body 20 (hereinafter referred to as “attachment direction”) 274 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the rod 88 of the valve body 87 and the direction in which the operation member 260 is attached to the base 256. . The attachment direction 274 coincides with a direction perpendicular to the front surface 40 of the container body 20. This pedestal 256 is made of the same resin material as that of the frame 50, and can be obtained, for example, by injection molding of a resin material.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the pedestal 256 is generally L-shaped in a side view. The pedestal 256 is roughly divided into an attachment portion 264 attached to the opening 110 of the slider 27 and a cover portion 265 that covers the detection window 140 with an L-shaped bent portion as a boundary.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cover portion 265 has an arm 269 (see the broken lines in FIGS. 8 and 9). The arm 269 extends in the attachment direction 274 from the inside of the cover portion 265. The arm 269 extends from the base end 269 </ b> A on the mounting portion 264 side in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction 274, and further extends in the mounting direction 274. The arm 269 is bifurcated from the proximal end 269A to the distal end 269B. That is, the arm 269 is divided into two on the tip 269B side. The arm 269 is disposed at a position corresponding to the engagement claw 144 of the detection window 140. Specifically, each of the two distal ends 269 </ b> B divided into two is disposed so as to be engageable with the two engaging claws 144 of the detection window 140.

  An upward hook-like engagement claw 272 that can engage with the engagement claw 144 of the detection window 140 is provided at the distal end 269 </ b> B of the arm 269. The engaging claw 272 is formed in a substantially hook shape in a sectional view. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the base 256 is attached to the container body 20 by the engagement of the engagement claws 272 and the engagement claws 144.

  A support portion 276 is provided between the base end 269 </ b> A and the front end 269 </ b> B of the arm 269. The support portion 276 is made of a thin plate-like member that extends in the same direction as the mounting direction 274 (the right direction in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). The front end 276 </ b> A of the support portion 276 in the mounting direction 274 is joined to the inner wall of the cover portion 265. Specifically, the end of the tip 276 </ b> A on the side (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) is joined to the inner wall of the cover 265. Thereby, the cover part 265 and the arm 269 are connected. That is, the arm 269 is supported by the support portion 276 inside the cover portion 265.

  In a state where the arm 269 is supported as described above, the arm 269 assumes an engagement posture (see FIGS. 11 and 12C) that can be engaged with the container body 20. On the other hand, when a force in the mounting direction 274 is applied to the base end 269 </ b> A of the arm 269, the arm 269 is bent about the tip 276 </ b> A of the support portion 276. As a result, the distal end 269B of the arm 269 is retracted outward (downward in FIG. 13C) to a release posture (see FIG. 13C) in which the engagement state with the container body 20 is released. .

  A guide 254 is provided on the attachment portion 264. As shown in FIG. 10, the guide 254 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. A rod 294 of the operation member 260 described later is inserted into the inner hole of the guide 254. The guide 254 is provided at a position corresponding to the opening 110 (see FIG. 2) of the slider 27. When the base 256 is attached to the container body 20, the guide 254 is inserted into the opening 110.

  As shown in FIG. 10, an accommodating portion 284 is provided inside the attachment portion 264. The operation member 260 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 284. The accommodating portion 284 is partitioned by forming the side wall 264 </ b> A of the attachment portion 264 into a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the operation member 260.

  Two slits 279 are formed in the side wall 264 </ b> A of the attachment portion 264. An engagement pin 298 (an example of the protruding piece of the present invention) of the operation member 260 described later is inserted through the slit 279. The slit 279 includes an inclined portion 279C (an example of the first slit of the present invention), an upper end slit 279A (an example of the second slit of the present invention), and a lower end slit 279B (an example of the second slit of the present invention). . The inclined portion 279C extends in a direction inclined with respect to the mounting direction 274. The upper end slit 279 </ b> A extends from the upper end 280 of the inclined portion 279 </ b> C in a direction (hereinafter referred to as “orthogonal direction”) 271 orthogonal to the attachment direction 274. The lower end slit 279B extends in the orthogonal direction 271 from the lower end 281 of the inclined portion 279C. The guide means of the present invention is embodied by the engaging pin 298 and the inclined portion 279C, and the holding means of the present invention is embodied by the upper end slit 179A and the lower end slit 279B.

  The operation member 260 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 284 of the attachment portion 264. The operation member 260 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The operation member 260 is roughly divided and includes a knob 296 and a rod 294. The operation member 260 is supported inside the housing portion 284 so as to be movable in a direction (hereinafter referred to as “rotational direction”) 275 that rotates around the central axis of the guide 254 and to be movable in the mounting direction 274. The

  The rod 294 is a round bar-like member, and the outer diameter thereof is smaller than the inner hole of the guide 254. Therefore, the rod 294 can be inserted into the inner hole of the guide 254. A knob 296 is provided at one end of the rod 294. With the rod 294 inserted through the inner hole of the guide 254, the knob 296 can rotate about the central axis of the guide 254.

  Two engaging pins 298 are provided on the side wall of the operation member 260. The engagement pin 298 protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the side wall. When the operation member 260 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 284, each of the two engagement pins 298 is inserted into the corresponding slit 279. When the knob 296 is operated, the operation member 260 is guided by the engagement pin 298 and the slit 279 and moves in the rotation direction 275 and the attachment direction 274.

  The opener 250 is assembled by housing the operation member 260 in the housing portion 284. When the operation member 260 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 284, the rod 294 is inserted through the inner hole of the guide 254 first. When the operation member 260 is pushed in the attachment direction 274, the side wall of the attachment portion 264 is bent and the two engagement pins 298 are inserted through the corresponding slits 279, respectively. Thereby, the operation member 260 is attached to the base 256, and the assembly of the opener 250 is completed.

  In the opener 250 assembled in this manner, when the engaging pin 298 is disposed in the upper end slit 279A or the lower end slit 279B of the slit 279, each position of the upper end slit 279A or the lower end slit 279B (predetermined in the present invention) The operation member 260 is held at a position corresponding to the position). In other words, the movement of the operation member 260 in the mounting direction 274 and the opposite direction is restricted. Therefore, even if the operation member 260 is pushed in the attachment direction 274 or pulled in the opposite direction, the engagement pin 298 is caught in the upper end slit 279A or the lower end slit 279B. Therefore, the operation member 260 does not move in any direction with respect to the base 256.

  When the knob 296 of the operation member 260 is rotated, the engagement pin 298 moves from the upper end slit 279A or the lower end slit 279B to the inclined portion 279C. When the engaging pin 298 is disposed on the inclined portion 279C and a force in the mounting direction 274 or the opposite direction or a force in the rotational direction 275 is applied to the operation member 260, the engaging pin 298 is It is guided to the upper end side or the lower end side of the attachment portion 264 along the inclined portion 279C. Accordingly, the operation member 260 moves in the attachment direction 274 or the opposite direction while rotating in the rotation direction 275. In this embodiment, when the knob 296 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 10, the operation member 260 is pushed in the attachment direction 274 while rotating clockwise. On the other hand, when the knob 296 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the operation member 260 is pulled out in the direction opposite to the attachment direction 274 while rotating in the counterclockwise direction.

  In the present embodiment, in a state where the opener 250 is attached to the container main body 20, when the engagement pin 298 is disposed in the upper end slit 279 </ b> A of the slit 279, the operation member 260 is most distant from the front surface 40 of the container main body 20. The separated first position, specifically, the rod 294 is disposed at the first position farthest from the tip of the rod 88 of the valve body 87 (see FIG. 11, corresponding to the first position of the present invention). Further, when the engaging pin 298 is disposed in the lower end slit 279B of the slit 279, the operation member 260 is in the second position close to the front surface 40 of the container body 20, more specifically, the rod 294 is the rod of the valve body 87. A second position (see FIG. 13, which corresponds to the second position of the present invention) in which 88 is pushed in to open the through hole 81 is disposed.

  Hereinafter, a method of attaching the opener 250 to the container body 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the ink cartridge 10 in which the ink is injected into the ink chamber 100 through the first step and the second step described above, the slider 27 is placed in the container body 20 with the ink chamber 100 held at a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. It is pressed to the front surface 41 side to change to the sixth position (see FIG. 3A) (third step).

  Next, the opener 250 is attached to the container body 20 with the slider 27 in the sixth position (see FIG. 3A) (fourth step). Specifically, the operation member 260 is moved to the first position in the opener 250. Then, the mounting portion 264 of the opener 250 is aligned with the front wall 161 of the slider 27. At this time, the guide 254 is disposed to face the opening 110. In this state, when the opener 250 is pushed in a direction perpendicular to the front wall 161, first, the guide 254 is inserted through the opening 110. As a result, the opener 250 is positioned with respect to the slider 27. Thereafter, when the opener 250 is further pushed in the mounting direction 274, the cover portion 265 covers the detection window 140. At this time, the engaging claw 272 of the arm 269 contacts the engaging claw 144 and the arm 269 is elastically deformed. Then, the engaging claw 272 gets over the engaging claw 144 and the engaging claw 272 engages with the engaging claw 144. As a result, the opener 250 is attached to the container body 20.

  By attaching the opener 250 in this way, the atmosphere communication valve 80 is covered and protected by the opener 250. Further, the slider 27 can be held at the sixth position (see FIG. 3A). Since the operation member 260 is in the first position (see FIG. 11), the rod 294 of the operation member 260 and the rod 88 of the valve main body 87 are not in contact with each other.

  Hereinafter, a method of removing the opener 250 attached to the container body 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

  In the attached state shown in FIG. 11, the engaging pin 298 is disposed in the upper end slit 279A. Therefore, even if the knob 296 is pressed in the attachment direction 274, the operation member 260 does not move. When the knob 296 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 273 from this state, the engagement pin 298 moves from the upper end slit 279A to the inclined portion 279C. The engaging pin 298 is guided along the inclined portion 279C. Accordingly, the operating member 260 is pushed in the attachment direction 274 while being rotated in the direction of the arrow 273.

  In the process in which the operation member 260 is pushed in the mounting direction 274, the tip of the rod 294 of the operation member 260 is brought into contact with the tip of the rod 88 of the valve body 87, as shown in FIG. When the operation member 260 is further pushed, the tip of the rod 294 presses the rod 88 of the valve main body 87 toward the ink chamber 100 side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the valve main body 87 moves from the closed position (position where the through hole 81 is closed) to the open position (position where the through hole 81 is opened) against the elastic force of the coil spring 86. To do. Thereby, the ink chamber 100 of the container body 20 communicates with the atmosphere, and the pressure of the ink chamber 100 becomes atmospheric pressure.

  Further, when the knob portion 296 is rotated and the operation member 260 is pushed in, the end portion 296A of the knob portion 296 on the mounting direction 274 side comes into contact with the base end 269A of the arm 269, and this base end 269A is moved in the mounting direction 274. Press. The arm 269 is bent by the pressing force applied to the base end 269A (see FIG. 13). Accordingly, the tip 269B of the arm 269 is retracted outward (downward in FIG. 13). As a result, the engagement claw 272 is removed from the engagement claw 144, and the arm 269 assumes a release posture in which the engagement state with respect to the container body 20 is released.

  When the arm 269 is in the release posture, the engagement pin 298 is disposed in the lower end slit 279B of the slit 279. In this state, when the knob 296 is pulled in the direction opposite to the attachment direction 274, the engagement pin 298 is caught by the lower end slit 279 </ b> B, and the opener 250 is removed from the container body 20.

  As described above, in the ink cartridge 10 according to the present embodiment, the engagement state of the opener 250 with respect to the container body 20 is released by simply rotating the knob 296 of the operation member 260, and the through hole is provided. 81 can be opened. That is, two operations of releasing the engagement state of the opener 250 and opening the through hole 81 can be performed by one operation of rotating the knob portion 296. Thus, the through hole 81 can be opened with a simple operation and reliably before the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the recording apparatus. As a result, the ink backflow does not occur when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted, and the meniscus of the nozzle of the recording head is stabilized.

  Further, if the engaging pin 298 is disposed in the upper end slit 279A of the slit 279 with the opener 250 attached to the container body 20, the operation member 260 does not move even if the knob 296 is pressed. Therefore, the malfunction of the operation member 260 is prevented without providing a protective cover for covering the knob 296.

  Further, when the operation member 260 is pressed and the engagement pin 298 is disposed in the lower end slit 279B of the slit 279, the operation member 260 is pulled in a direction opposite to the attachment direction 274 in this state, whereby the ink cartridge 10 The opener 250 can be easily removed from the container body 20.

  In the present embodiment, the slit 279 has both the upper end slit 279A and the lower end slit 279B, but the slit 279 may have only one of them. For example, when the slit 279 has the inclined portion 279 </ b> C and the upper end slit 279 </ b> A, there is an effect that the operation member 260 can be prevented from malfunctioning. Further, when the slit 279 has the inclined portion 279 </ b> C and the lower end slit 279 </ b> B, there is an effect that the opener 250 can be easily detached from the container body 20 simply by pulling the operation member 260.

  In addition, in the ink cartridge 10, the slit 279 has the inclined portion 279C inclined with respect to the mounting direction 274. However, the inclined portion 279C is straight from the upper end slit 279A to the lower end slit 279B along the mounting direction 274. An extending straight shape may be used. Even with such a configuration, the operation member 260 can be prevented from malfunctioning, and the opener 250 can be easily detached from the container body 20.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engagement pin 298 is provided on the side wall of the operation member 260 and the slit 279 is provided on the side wall 264A of the attachment portion 264. However, the engagement pin 298 is provided on the side wall 264A of the attachment portion 264. The slit 279 may be provided on the side wall of the operation member 260. Even with such a configuration, the operation member 260 can be smoothly guided in the attachment direction 274 and the rotation direction 275.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external shape of an ink cartridge 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view as seen from the front side in the insertion direction 30, and FIG. The perspective view seen from the back side of the insertion direction 30 is shown. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the ink cartridge 10 is disassembled. FIG. 3 is a side view of the ink cartridge 10. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the container body 20. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the internal structure of the container body 20. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the container body 20. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the ink cartridge 10 in which the opener 250 is attached to the container body 20. FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the housing 26 and the slider 27 are removed in FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the opener 250. FIG. 11 is a view showing the main part of the ink cartridge 10 with the opener 250 attached. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the ink cartridge 10 with the opener 250 attached. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the ink cartridge 10 with the opener 250 attached.

10. Ink cartridge 20 ... Container body (main body)
23, 24 ... Coil spring (second elastic member)
27 ... Slider (sliding member)
50 ... Frame 67 ... Bearing 80 ... Air communication valve (seal member)
81 ... through hole (hole)
86... Coil spring (first elastic member)
87 ... Valve body (lid member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Ink chamber 140 ... Detection window 150 ... Protection member 170 ... Support block 250 ... Opener 256 ... Base (2nd member)
260 ... operation member (first member)
269... Arm 279... Slit 279A... Upper end slit (second slit)
279B ... Lower end slit (second slit)
279C ... inclined part (first slit)
298 ... engaging pin (protruding piece)

Claims (7)

A main body having a first wall defining an ink chamber in which ink is stored;
A first member movable between a first position spaced from the first wall and a second position closer to the first wall than the first position ;
Guiding means for guiding the first member from the first position to the second position;
When the first member is in the first position, it engages with the main body, and the engagement with the main body is released in conjunction with the movement of the first member from the first position to the second position. A second member,
It said first member comprising a holding means capable of holding so as not to move toward the second position from said first position,
The guiding means is
A protruding piece provided on the first member;
A first slit provided on the second member and formed so that the protruding piece can be inserted;
The holding means has a second slit that is formed so that the protruding piece can be inserted through the first slit and extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first slit,
An ink cartridge in which a hole provided in the first wall is opened by the first member in the second position so that the ink chamber communicates with the atmosphere. Said second slits, according to claim 1 which is extended from the second end one both or one of which corresponds to the first end and the second position corresponding to the first position in the first slit ink cartridge. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first slit extends in a direction inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the first wall. A seal member for closing the hole;
4. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first member presses the seal member at the second position to open the hole. 5. The sealing member is
A lid member movable to a third position for opening the hole and a fourth position for closing the hole;
A first elastic member that elastically supports the lid member toward the fourth position;
Said first member, according to claim 4 for moving the lid member against the elastic force of the first elastic member in accordance with the movement of the said second position from said first position to said third position side Ink cartridge. A slide member provided to be slidable with respect to the main body and movable between a fifth position spaced from the first wall and a sixth position closer to the first wall than the fifth position;
A second elastic member interposed between the main body and the slide member and elastically supporting the slide member in a direction away from the first wall;
The slide member is held at the sixth position against the elastic force of the second elastic member in a state where the second member is engaged with the main body, and the engagement of the second member with the main body is released. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein when moved, the ink cartridge receives the elastic force of the second elastic member and moves to the fifth position. A main body having at least a first wall defining an ink chamber in which ink is stored;
A hole formed in the first wall and communicating the ink chamber and the outside;
A lid member movable to a third position for opening the hole and a fourth position for closing the hole;
A first elastic member that elastically supports the lid member toward the fourth position;
A slide member provided to be slidable with respect to the main body and movable between a fifth position spaced from the first wall and a sixth position closer to the first wall than the fifth position;
A second elastic member interposed between the main body and the slide member and elastically supporting the slide member in a direction away from the first wall;
A first member movable between a first position spaced from the first wall and a second position closer to the first wall than the first position;
When the first member is in the first position, the hole is covered and engaged with the main body to hold the slide member in the sixth position against the elastic force of the second elastic member, When the first member is in the second position, the engagement with the main body is released and the lid member is moved toward the third position against the elastic force of the first elastic member to open the hole. A second member to be
A protruding piece provided on the first member;
A first slit provided in the second member and formed so that the protruding piece can be inserted;
An ink cartridge comprising: a second slit extending in a direction intersecting with an extending direction of the first slit, the projecting piece being formed so as to be able to be inserted through the first slit.

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