JP5725056B2 - Liquid container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container for supplying a liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, an ink jet printer is known. Conventionally, as a technique for suppressing bubbles generated when an ink cartridge (liquid container) is mounted on this ink jet printer, a collar portion and a fitting portion are provided on a cylindrical packing formed on the side wall of the ink supply port. There is known a technique for fitting a part, a fitting part, and an ink supply needle in a liquid-tight manner (for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, it is difficult to completely suppress the generation of bubbles, and the generated bubbles sometimes stay on the lower end side (external opening side) of the ink guide chamber. In this case, there is a possibility that bubbles together with the ink enter the recording head of the ink cartridge through the inside of the ink supply needle, and the recording head cannot stably eject the ink. Such a problem is not limited to an ink jet printer, and is generally a problem common to liquid ejecting apparatuses (liquid consuming apparatuses) in which a liquid container is replaceably mounted.

JP 2001-113723 A

  Accordingly, the present invention relates to a liquid container that supplies liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus, and even when bubbles are generated when the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the invasion of bubbles into the liquid ejecting apparatus is prevented. It aims at providing the technology to reduce.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.
Form 1:
A liquid container for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container capable of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A liquid introduction part communicating the liquid storage part and the liquid supply part,
The liquid introduction part and the liquid supply part communicate through a liquid inflow hole,
The liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply channel extending in the first direction, the liquid supply needle and insertable supply needle insertion hole of the liquid ejecting apparatus, and
The liquid introduction part has a liquid communication channel partly extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction,
The liquid inflow hole opens toward a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction ;
In a posture in which the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the upper end of the liquid supply channel is closed, and a portion of the liquid supply channel that is positioned above the liquid inflow hole and the supply needle insertion hole Functions as a bubble trapping part .
According to the liquid container of this form, bubbles can be captured by the portion that functions as the bubble capturing unit.
Form 2:
In the liquid container according to aspect 1,
The liquid storage part and the liquid introduction part communicate with each other through a communication hole,
The liquid container is characterized in that the communication hole opens in the third direction.
Form 3 :
A liquid container for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container capable of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A liquid introduction part communicating the liquid storage part and the liquid supply part,
The liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply channel extending in a first direction, and a supply needle insertion hole into which a liquid supply needle of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be inserted,
Communicating via the communication hole and the liquid storage portion and the liquid introducing portion,
The liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit communicate with each other through a liquid inflow hole,
The liquid introduction part has a liquid communication channel partly extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction ,
The liquid container is formed by a main body member of the liquid container and a first film,
The liquid communication channel is formed by a groove formed on the back surface of the main body member of the liquid container and a second film,
The liquid inflow hole and the communication hole cross in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, and are directed in a third direction that is a direction from the second film toward the first film. Open
In a posture in which the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the upper end of the liquid supply channel is closed, and a portion of the liquid supply channel that is positioned above the liquid inflow hole and the supply needle insertion hole Functions as a bubble trapping part .
According to the liquid container of this form, bubbles can be captured by the portion that functions as the bubble capturing unit.
Form 4 :
A liquid container for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container capable of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply section capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus through a supply needle insertion hole into which the liquid supply needle of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be inserted ;
A liquid introduction part communicating the liquid storage part and the liquid supply part;
An atmosphere opening hole capable of introducing the atmosphere into the liquid container,
The liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit communicate with each other through a liquid inflow hole,
Defining a first axis, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis;
In a posture in which the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus, a surface on the positive side of the first axis of the liquid container is an upper surface, a surface on the negative direction side of the first shaft is a bottom surface, and the first The surface on the positive direction side of the second shaft is the first side surface, the surface on the negative direction side of the second shaft is the second side surface, the surface on the positive direction side of the third shaft is the front surface, and the surface of the third shaft is When the negative side is defined as the back side,
The liquid communication channel forming the liquid introduction part has a portion extending toward the bottom surface,
The liquid inflow hole opens toward the front surface ,
In an attitude of connecting the liquid container to the liquid ejecting apparatus, an upper end of the liquid supply unit is closed, and a portion of the liquid supply unit located above the liquid inflow hole and the supply needle insertion hole is a bubble. Functions as a capture unit,
The liquid container is formed of a main body member and a first film located on the front surface .
According to the liquid container of this form, bubbles can be captured by the portion that functions as the bubble capturing unit.
Form 5 :
A liquid container for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container capable of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply section capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus through a supply needle insertion hole into which the liquid supply needle of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be inserted ;
A liquid introduction part communicating the liquid storage part and the liquid supply part;
An atmosphere opening hole capable of introducing the atmosphere into the liquid container,
The liquid storage part and the liquid introduction part communicate with each other through a communication hole,
Defining a first axis, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis;
In a posture in which the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus, a surface on the positive side of the first axis of the liquid container is an upper surface, a surface on the negative direction side of the first shaft is a bottom surface, and the first The surface on the positive direction side of the second shaft is the first side surface, the surface on the negative direction side of the second shaft is the second side surface, the surface on the positive direction side of the third shaft is the front surface, and the surface of the third shaft is When the negative side is defined as the back side,
The liquid communication channel forming the liquid introduction part has a portion extending toward the bottom surface,
The communication hole opens toward the front ,
In a posture in which the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus, the upper end of the liquid supply unit is closed, and a portion of the liquid supply unit located above the liquid inflow hole and the supply needle insertion hole is a bubble. Functions as a capture unit,
The liquid container is formed of a main body member and a first film located on the front surface .
According to the liquid container of this form, bubbles can be captured by the portion that functions as the bubble capturing unit.
Form 6 :
In the liquid container according to Form 4 or Form 5 ,
Before SL liquid communication channel, and wherein formed on the back surface of the body member groove, the second is formed by the film, the liquid container, characterized in that located in the rear.
Form 7 :
In the liquid container according to Form 4 or Form 5 ,
Before Kirendoriana is open toward the first film, the liquid container, characterized in that.
Form 8 :
In the liquid container according to one any of the fourth to seventh,
In a posture in which the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid communication channel has a portion extending vertically downward.
Form 9 :
In the liquid container according to any one of Form 4 to Form 6 ,
The liquid container is characterized in that the liquid introduction part protrudes from the back surface toward the front surface.

Application Example 1 A liquid container that supplies a liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid accommodating part that accommodates the liquid, the liquid supply part that supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the liquid accommodating part. A liquid communication channel that communicates with the liquid supply unit, and the liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply port for connection to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and a hollow liquid supply that extends vertically upward from the liquid supply port. A liquid supply channel having a lower end connected to the liquid supply port and a closed upper end, and the liquid from the liquid communication channel is in the middle of the liquid supply channel. A liquid container having an inflowing liquid inflow hole.
According to the liquid container of Application Example 1, even when bubbles are generated at the liquid supply port, the bubbles are also referred to as a liquid supply channel (hereinafter referred to as “bubble trapping portion”) positioned above the liquid inflow hole. Can be captured. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the entry of bubbles into the liquid ejecting apparatus.

[Application Example 2] The liquid storage container according to Application Example 1, wherein the liquid inflow hole is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to a vertical direction in a mounting state with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus.
According to the liquid container of Application Example 2, it is further possible to prevent the bubbles from entering the upstream flow path through the liquid inflow hole when the bubbles rise in the liquid supply flow path to the gas capturing unit.

Application Example 3 The liquid container according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, further provided near the lower end of the liquid supply port, and displaced by being pushed by a liquid supply needle of the liquid ejecting apparatus. A valve member, and a seal member that blocks the flow of the liquid by contacting the lower surface of the valve body in a state where the liquid supply needle is not inserted into the liquid supply port, than the liquid inflow hole. The volume of the liquid supply channel positioned above is V1, and when the liquid supply needle is inserted, the valve body, the seal member, and the liquid supply needle are first contacted with the liquid supply needle by contacting the seal member. V1 is V2 or more when the volume of the space surrounded by V2 is V2.
The maximum amount of bubbles generated when the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus is a volume of V2. Therefore, according to the liquid container of Application Example 3, by setting the volume V1 of the bubble capturing unit to be equal to or higher than the volume V2, it is possible to reliably capture the bubbles in the bubble capturing unit.

[Application Example 4] The liquid container according to Application Example 3, further including a groove formed in a peripheral direction of the liquid supply channel and extending in a vertical direction, and the groove includes at least the liquid supply flow A liquid storage container formed from a lower end of a path to a position corresponding to an upper end of the valve body in a mounting state with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus.
According to the liquid container of Application Example 4, in the liquid supply flow path in which the valve body is located, the air bubble smoothly passes without being disturbed by the valve body as the bubble passes through the groove portion. It can be guided to the capturing part.

Application Example 5 The liquid container according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, further provided near the lower end of the liquid supply port, and displaced by being pushed by the liquid supply needle of the liquid ejecting apparatus. A valve body, a seal member that blocks the flow of the liquid by contacting the lower surface of the valve body when the liquid supply needle is not inserted into the liquid supply port, and a peripheral edge of the liquid supply flow path A vertically extending groove portion, and the groove portion is formed from at least a lower end of the liquid supply channel to a position corresponding to an upper end of the valve body in a mounting state with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus. container.
According to the liquid container of Application Example 5, in the liquid supply flow path in which the valve body is located, the air bubble smoothly passes without being disturbed by the valve body when the bubble passes through the groove. It can be guided to the capturing part.

[Application Example 6] The liquid storage container according to Application Example 4 or Application Example 5, wherein the upper end of the groove extends at least to a position above the liquid inflow hole.
According to the liquid container of Application Example 6, since the upper end of the groove portion extends at least to a position above the liquid inflow hole, the air bubbles once entering the groove portion generally pass through the groove portion as they are. Reach the capture part. Therefore, it is possible to more smoothly guide the bubbles to the bubble capturing unit.

Application Example 7 The liquid container according to Application Example 6, wherein the liquid inflow hole is formed in the groove.
According to the liquid container of Application Example 7, the liquid smoothly flows through the groove portion to the liquid supply port as compared with the case where the liquid inflow hole is formed in addition to the groove portion. Therefore, pressure loss when the liquid passes through the liquid supply channel can be reduced as compared with the case where the liquid inflow hole is formed other than the groove.

[Application Example 8] The liquid container according to any one of Application Examples 4 to 7, wherein two or more groove portions are formed, and the groove portions are opposed to each other with the liquid supply flow channel interposed therebetween. A liquid container disposed so as not to have another groove at a position where
According to the liquid container described in Application Example 8, by forming two or more groove portions on the periphery of the liquid supply flow path, more bubbles pass through the groove portions, so that the bubbles can be smoothly transferred to the bubble capturing portion. And can be induced. Moreover, since there is no other groove part in the position where a groove part opposes on both sides of a liquid supply flow path, possibility that a valve body will fit in a groove part can be reduced, and a valve body can be displaced to a perpendicular direction stably. it can. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the flow path of the groove is blocked by the valve body. Further, in a state where the liquid supply needle is not inserted into the liquid supply port (a state where the liquid storage container is not attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus), the lower surface of the valve body and the seal member formed by the valve body being fitted and inclined in the groove portion The possibility of liquid leaking to the outside due to poor contact can be reduced.

Application Example 9 The liquid container according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 8 projects from the back member constituting the back surface of the liquid container and the surface side of the liquid container from the back member. A container body having a plurality of wall members formed in the manner described above and the liquid supply section that forms the liquid supply flow path on the front surface side of the back surface member, and the liquid communication flow path is formed on the back surface A liquid container that is formed by a second groove formed on the back side of the member and a film covering the second groove.
According to the liquid container of Application Example 9, it is possible to easily form a liquid communication channel for supplying liquid from the liquid container to the liquid supply channel. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the liquid container can be reduced.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms. For example, a liquid container and a manufacturing method thereof, a liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid consuming apparatus) including the liquid container having any one of the above-described configurations, and the like It is realizable with the aspect of.

1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer 100 equipped with an ink cartridge 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge main body 7 as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the ink cartridge body 7 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge body 7 in FIG. 3 taken along the lines BB, CC, and DD. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of the ink cartridge body 7 in FIG. 3. It is an AA partial sectional view in Drawing 2 of ink cartridge main part 7a in the 2nd example. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge main body 7a in FIG. 6 taken along the lines BB, CC, DD. FIG. 7 is an EE partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge body 7a in FIG. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2 of an ink cartridge body 7b according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge main body 7b in FIG. 9 taken along the lines BB, CC, and DD. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the ink cartridge body 7b in FIG. It is a 1st external appearance perspective view of the ink cartridge 1c of 4th Example. It is a 2nd external appearance perspective view of the ink cartridge 1c. FIG. 3 is a first exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge 1c. FIG. 6 is a second exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 1c. It is a figure which shows the state in which the ink cartridge 1c was attached to the carriage. It is a figure which shows notionally the path | route from the atmospheric | air release hole 14c to the ink supply part 30c. 3 is a front view of the cartridge body 15. FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
A. First embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Fourth embodiment:
E. Variation:

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer 100 equipped with the ink cartridge 1 of the present invention. The ink jet printer 100 includes a carriage 2 that moves in the main scanning direction (paper width direction). The carriage 2 is moved through the timing belt 5 by driving the stepping motor 6. A recording head 4 is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 2, and ink is ejected through the nozzles of the recording head 4 to perform printing on the printing paper PP. Further, on the carriage 2, a cartridge housing portion in which a plurality of ink cartridges 1 can be mounted is provided. In FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 (so-called on-carriage), but may be mounted on a mounting portion provided at a location different from the carriage 2 (so-called off-carriage). ).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the ink cartridge main body 7 as the first embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a view of the ink cartridge body 7 as viewed from the ink containing side (hereinafter also referred to as “front side”), and FIG. 2B is the back side (“back side”). Also, the ink cartridge body 7 is viewed from the side, and FIG. 2C is a view of the ink cartridge body 7 viewed from the side. The ink cartridge 1 described above has an ink cartridge body 7 to be described below, and a film (not shown) that covers the front side and the back side of the cartridge body 7. In FIG. 2, XYZ axes are shown for specifying the direction. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the Y-axis positive direction side is an upward direction, and the Y-axis negative direction side is a downward direction.

  The ink cartridge body 7 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIGS. The ink cartridge main body 7 includes a back surface member 8, a plurality of wall members 9 and 11 formed so as to protrude from the back surface member 8 to the front surface side, an ink supply unit 30 formed on the front surface side from the back surface member 8, And an ink introduction unit 21 for supplying ink to the ink supply unit 30. The plurality of wall members include a cartridge main body wall 9 that protrudes from the periphery of the back surface member 8 and a rib 11 that defines a space on the front surface side of the cartridge main body 7. In addition, two ink storage portions 10 and 12 are partitioned and formed by a film covering the surface side, the cartridge main body wall 9 and the rib 11. On the upper surface of the ink cartridge main body 7, an air opening hole 14 for introducing the air into the ink cartridge main body 7 is opened.

  The ink supply unit 30 is formed up to the inside of the convex portion 19 provided at the lower end of the ink cartridge body 7, and the lower end is opened. Ink is supplied to the recording head 4 by inserting the ink supply needle of the carriage 2 into the opening. The ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 so that the vertical direction of the ink cartridge body 7 shown in FIG.

  The first ink storage portion 10 and the second ink storage portion 12 are communicated with each other through communication holes 17 and 18 and an ink communication path (also referred to as “ink communication flow path”) 16 provided on the back surface of the ink cartridge body 7. ing. The second ink storage unit 12 and the ink supply unit 30 include a communication hole 20 provided in the ink introduction unit 21 and an ink communication path (also referred to as “ink communication channel”) 22 provided on the back surface of the ink cartridge body 7. It is communicated by. Here, the ink introduction part 21 includes a communication hole 20 and an ink communication path 22. The ink in the second ink storage unit 12 flows through the communication hole 20 and the ink communication path 22 and flows into the ink supply unit 30 from an ink inflow hole 33 formed in an ink supply channel of the ink supply unit 30 described later. . The ink communication paths 16 and 22 form a flow path by a groove formed on the back surface side of the back surface member 8 of the ink cartridge 1 and a second film (not shown) attached to the back surface.

  Next, details of the ink supply unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the ink cartridge body 7 in FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge main body 7 taken along the lines BB, CC, and DD in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the ink cartridge body 7 in FIG. 3 and 4, a valve body, an urging member (also referred to as “elastic member”), and a seal member, which will be described later, are omitted for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the interior of the ink supply unit 30 forms a substantially cylindrical hollow region (hereinafter referred to as “hollow region”). The ink supply unit 30 includes an ink supply port 35 for connecting to the carriage 2, and an ink supply channel 32 having a closed upper end and a lower end connected to the ink supply port 35. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, in the hollow region, a valve body 52 that is displaced along the vertical direction (vertical direction) by being pushed by the ink supply needle 60, and a seal that contacts the lower surface of the valve body 52. A member 50 and a biasing member 54 that constantly biases the valve body 52 downward are provided. The ink indicated by dots in FIG. 5 is filled up to the upper surface of the seal member 50 when the ink cartridge 1 is not used (before the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the carriage 2) (FIG. 5A). . Further, when the ink supply needle 60 is not inserted, the ink flow is blocked by the lower surface of the valve body 52 and the seal member 50 so that the ink does not leak to the outside. An elastic material (for example, rubber) is used for the seal member 50, and a coil spring is used for the urging member 54, for example.

  In the middle of the ink supply channel 32, an ink inflow hole 33 through which ink flows from the second ink storage unit 12 through the communication hole 20 (FIG. 3) and the communication path 22 is opened. The ink inflow hole 33 is formed so as to face a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink supply port 35 has an enlarged diameter portion 35a and a large diameter portion 35b. The enlarged diameter portion 35a has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter gradually increases from the upper end to the lower side. The large diameter portion 35 b has a cylindrical shape having a larger inner diameter than the ink supply flow path 32. A supply needle insertion hole 40 is opened at the lower end of the ink supply port 35 so that the ink supply port 35 can be attached to the carriage 2 (specifically, the ink supply needle 60). Note that a sealing film (not shown) may be attached to the supply needle insertion hole 40 and may be opened by being broken by the ink supply needle 60 when mounted on the carriage 2.

  Next, the flow of ink when the used ink cartridge 1 is removed from the carriage 2 and the unused ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 and the flow of bubbles generated at the time of mounting will be described with reference to FIG. . FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line EE showing a state in which the ink supply needle 60 is in contact with the seal member 50 and a space surrounded by the valve body 52, the seal member 50, and the ink supply needle 60 is first formed. FIG. 5B is an EE partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink supply needle 60 pushes up the valve body 52 and the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2. 5C is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the tip of the ink supply needle 60 of FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5D is the vicinity of the upper end of the ink supply channel 32 of FIG. 5B. FIG. The area filled with dots in FIG. 5 is filled with ink. For convenience of explanation, the urging member 54 is omitted in FIG. 5B, and the dots (ink) are omitted in FIG. 5D.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the ink supply needle 60 connects the ink flow path 61 provided inside, the front end groove part 62 provided at the front end part, and the ink flow path 61 and the front end groove part 62. And an ink communication channel 64. When the valve body 52 is pushed up by the ink supply needle 60, the ink in the ink supply section 30 flows out to the ink flow path 61 through the tip groove 62 and the ink communication flow path 64 of the ink supply needle 60 (FIG. 5B). ) Down arrow). The ink that has flowed out to the ink flow path 61 is supplied to the recording head 4, and the ink is consumed by printing on the printing paper PP.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, when the ink supply needle 60 is inserted into the ink supply port 35, the ink supply needle 60 comes into contact with the seal member 50, and the ink supply needle 60, the seal member 50, the valve body 52, and the like. A space 68 surrounded by is formed. The enclosed space 68 is formed until the ink supply needle 60 pushes up the valve body 52. Further, air that has entered from the outside exists in the space 68. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the ink supply needle 60 pushes up the valve body 52, the air in the space 68 enters the ink supply port 35 as bubbles. Among the bubbles that have entered the ink supply port 35, bubbles having a size that can pass through the gap 53 between the valve body 52 and the ink supply channel 32 are located above the ink inflow hole 33. To reach. Hereinafter, the ink supply flow path 32 (the part that is cross-hatched in FIG. 5D) positioned above the ink inflow hole 33 is also referred to as a bubble capturing unit 69.

  In this way, bubbles that enter the ink supply port 35 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2 and are captured by the bubble capturing unit 69 do not enter the ink supply needle 60 when ink is consumed. As a result, the recording head 4 can stably eject ink. Further, since the ink inflow hole 33 is formed so as to face in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction, it is possible for bubbles to enter the upstream flow path (for example, the ink communication path 22) through the ink inflow hole 33. The ink can be stably supplied to the ink supply channel 32 from the second ink storage unit 12. Note that the bubble trapping unit 69 not only enters the ink supply port 35 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted, but also enters the ink supply flow path 32 from bubbles or ink inflow holes 33 that originally exist in the ink cartridge 1. Incoming bubbles can also be captured.

  In the above embodiment, when the volume when the space 68 is first formed by the ink supply needle 60 coming into contact with the seal member 50 out of the volume of the space 68 in FIG. The volume V1 of the bubble trapping part 69 in (d) is preferably not less than the volume V2. This is because the maximum amount of bubbles that enter the ink supply port 35 at the time of replacement of the ink cartridge 1 is the volume V2, so that if the volume V1 of the bubble capturing portion 69 is equal to or greater than the volume V2, the bubbles are surely This is because air bubbles can be captured by the bubble capturing unit 69. Further, the bubbles captured by the bubble capturing unit 69 are dissolved in the ink as time passes, and the bubble capturing unit 69 is again filled with ink. Therefore, even when the ink cartridge 1 is newly replaced, the bubble capturing unit 69 can capture again the bubbles corresponding to the volume V2, which is the maximum amount of bubbles generated at the time of replacement.

B. Second embodiment:
6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge main body 7a according to the second embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge main body 7a in FIG. 6 taken along the lines BB, CC, and DD. FIG. 8 is an EE partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge body 7a in FIG. 8A shows a state in which the ink supply needle 60 is in contact with the seal member 50, and a space surrounded by the valve body 52, the seal member 50, and the ink supply needle 60 is first formed. FIG. 5B shows a state where the ink supply needle 60 pushes up the valve body 52 and the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2. The difference from the first embodiment is that a groove 34 extending in the vertical direction (vertical direction) is formed at the periphery of the ink supply flow path 32. Since the configuration of the other ink cartridge main body and the ink cartridge and the configuration of the ink jet printer equipped with the ink cartridge are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8A and 8B, the groove 34 is formed from the boundary between the ink supply port 35 and the ink supply channel 32 (in other words, from the lower end of the ink supply channel 32). It is formed to a position corresponding to the upper end of the valve body 52 when the valve body 52 is pushed up by 60 (in other words, when the ink cartridge 1a is mounted on the carriage 2). In addition, as shown in FIG. 7C, five groove portions 34 are formed on the periphery of the ink supply channel 32.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the bubbles that have entered the ink supply port 35 when the ink supply needle 60 pushes up the valve body 52 cause a gap 53 between the valve body 52 and the ink supply flow path 32 in the process of rising. In addition, the bubble capturing part 69 can be reached through the groove part 34. As described above, the groove 34 is formed to a position corresponding to the upper end of the valve body 52 when the valve body 52 is pushed up by the ink supply needle 60 from the boundary portion between the ink supply port 35 and the ink supply flow path 32. As a result, the bubbles can smoothly rise up the ink supply flow path 32 and reach the bubble capturing portion 69. Therefore, the bubbles can be further prevented from staying in the vicinity of the tip of the ink supply needle 60, so that it is possible to further prevent the bubbles from entering the ink supply needle 60 together with the ink. Thereby, the carriage 2 can eject ink more stably.

  In the second embodiment, the arrangement of the groove 34 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to arrange the groove 34 so as not to have another groove 34 at a position facing the ink supply flow path 32. Accordingly, even when the plurality of groove portions 34 are formed in the ink supply flow path 32, the valve body 52 can be stably displaced in the vertical direction without fitting into the groove portions 34. Therefore, the bubbles can be reliably captured by the bubble capturing unit 69 without hindering the rising of the bubbles by the valve body 52. Further, in a state where the ink cartridge 1 is not mounted on the carriage 2, ink may leak to the outside due to poor contact between the lower surface of the valve body 52 and the sealing member 50 due to the valve body 52 being fitted and inclined in the groove 34. Can be reduced. Note that the number of grooves 34 formed is not particularly limited, and may be one or more. This is because if one or more groove portions 34 are formed, the bubbles smoothly pass through the groove portions 34 and reach the bubble capturing portion 69.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2 of the ink cartridge main body 7b according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge main body 7b in FIG. 9 taken along the lines BB, CC, and DD. FIG. 11 is an EE partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge body 7b in FIG. FIG. 11A shows a state in which the ink supply needle 60 is in contact with the seal member 50 and first a space surrounded by the valve body 52, the seal member 50, and the ink supply needle 60 is formed. FIG. 5B shows a state where the ink supply needle 60 pushes up the valve body 52 and the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 2. The difference from the second embodiment is the formation position of the groove 34b, and the configuration of the other ink cartridge main body and the ink cartridge and the configuration of the ink jet printer equipped with the ink cartridge are the same as those in the above embodiment. Therefore, about the same structure, it shows with the same code | symbol and abbreviate | omits description.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B, the groove 34b is formed from the boundary between the ink supply port 35 and the ink supply channel 32 (in other words, the lower end of the ink supply channel 32). The upper end of 32 is formed. The ink inflow hole 33b is formed in the groove 34b.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the bubbles that have entered the ink supply port 35 when the ink supply needle 60 pushes up the valve body 52 once enter the groove portion 34b, generally pass through the groove portion 34b, and the bubble capturing portion. Reach up to 69. As described above, since the groove portion 34 is formed from the boundary portion between the ink supply port 35 and the ink supply flow channel 32 to the upper end of the ink supply flow channel 32, the bubbles can reach the bubble capturing portion 69 more smoothly. it can. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the bubbles from staying near the tip of the ink supply needle 60, so that it is possible to further prevent the bubbles from entering the ink supply needle 60 together with the ink. Thereby, the carriage 2 can eject ink more stably.

  In the third embodiment, the position of the ink inflow hole 33b is not particularly limited as long as it is formed in the middle of the ink supply flow path 32, but is preferably formed in the groove 34b. As a result, the ink that has flowed into the ink supply flow path 32 through the ink inflow hole 33b formed in the groove 34b flows directly into the ink supply port 35 through the groove 34b. The pressure loss of the ink flowing in the ink supply flow path 32 can be reduced compared to the case where 33b is formed.

D. Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 12 is a first external perspective view of the ink cartridge 1c of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a second external perspective view of the ink cartridge 1c. FIG. 13 shows a view from the opposite direction to FIG. FIG. 14 is a first exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 1c. FIG. 15 is a second exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 1c. FIG. 15 shows a view seen from the opposite direction to FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state where the ink cartridge 1 c is attached to the carriage 2. 12 to 15 show the XYZ axes in order to specify the direction.

  The ink cartridge 1c contains liquid ink. As shown in FIG. 16, the ink cartridge 1 c is mounted on the carriage 2 of the ink jet printer 100 (FIG. 1) and supplies ink to the ink jet printer 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the ink cartridge 1c has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a surface 101a on the Y axis positive direction side, a surface 101b on the Y axis negative direction side, and a surface 101c on the X axis positive direction side. , An X-axis negative direction side surface 101d, a Z-axis positive direction side surface 101e, and a Z-axis negative direction side surface 101f. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the surface 101a is also referred to as a top surface, the surface 101b as a bottom surface, the surface 101c as a right side surface, the surface 101d as a left side surface, the surface 101e as a front surface, and the surface 101f as a back surface. Moreover, the side with these surfaces 101a-101f is also called the upper surface side, the bottom surface side, the right side surface side, the left side surface side, the front surface side, and the back surface side, respectively.

  A supply needle insertion hole 40 for inserting an ink supply needle into the ink supply unit 30c is opened on the bottom surface 101b (FIG. 15). As the ink supply unit 30c, any one of the ink supply units 30, 30a, and 30b of the first to third embodiments can be used. The bottom surface 101b further has an air opening hole 14c for introducing the air into the ink cartridge 1c (FIG. 15).

  The air opening hole 14c has such a depth and diameter that the protrusion 230 (FIG. 16) formed on the carriage 2 of the ink jet printer 100 fits with a margin so as to have a predetermined gap. The user removes the sealing film 90 that hermetically seals the air opening hole 14 c and then mounts the ink cartridge 1 c on the carriage 2. The protrusion 230 is provided to prevent forgetting to remove the sealing film 90.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an engagement lever 13 is provided on the left side surface 101d. The engaging lever 13 is formed with a protrusion 13a. The protrusion 13a engages with a recess 210 formed in the carriage 2 when mounted on the carriage 2, whereby the ink cartridge 1c is fixed to the carriage 2 (FIG. 16). As can be seen from the above, the carriage 2 is a mounting portion on which the ink cartridge 1c is mounted. During printing by the inkjet printer 100, the carriage 2 is integrated with the recording head 4 (FIG. 1) and reciprocates in the main scanning direction (paper width direction) of the print medium. The main scanning direction is as indicated by an arrow AR1 in FIG. That is, the ink cartridge 1c is reciprocated along the Z-axis direction in each drawing when the ink jet printer 100 is printing.

  A circuit board 89 is provided below the engagement lever 13 on the left side surface 101d (FIG. 13). A plurality of electrode terminals 89 a are formed on the circuit board 89, and these electrode terminals 89 a are electrically connected to the inkjet printer 100 via electrode terminals (not shown) provided on the carriage 2. The

  An outer surface film 81 is attached to the upper surface 101a and the rear surface 101f of the ink cartridge 1c.

  Furthermore, the internal configuration and component configuration of the ink cartridge 1c will be described with reference to FIGS. The ink cartridge 1 c includes a cartridge main body 15 and a lid member 99 that covers the front side of the cartridge main body 15.

  Ribs 102a having various shapes are formed on the front side of the cartridge body 15 (FIG. 14). A film 85 that covers the front side of the cartridge body 15 is provided between the cartridge body 15 and the lid member 99. The film 85 is affixed densely so that no gap is generated on the front end face of the rib 102a of the cartridge main body 15. By these ribs 102a and the film 85, a plurality of small chambers, for example, an ink storage chamber and a buffer chamber described later are partitioned and formed inside the ink cartridge 1c. Details of these rooms will be described later.

  A differential pressure valve housing chamber 70a and a gas-liquid separation chamber 76a are formed on the back side of the cartridge body 15 (FIG. 15). The differential pressure valve accommodating chamber 70 a accommodates the differential pressure valve 70 including the valve member 71, the spring 72, and the spring seat 73. A bank 76 b is formed on the inner wall surrounding the bottom surface of the gas-liquid separation chamber 76 a, and a gas-liquid separation film 77 is adhered to the bank 76 b, thereby constituting a gas-liquid separation filter 76 as a whole.

  A plurality of grooves 15b are further formed on the back side of the cartridge body 15 (FIG. 15). When the outer surface film 81 is affixed so as to cover substantially the entire back side of the cartridge main body 15, these grooves 15 b have various flow paths described later between the cartridge main body 15 and the outer surface film 81, For example, a flow path for ink and air to flow is formed. The flow path for flowing the ink includes the liquid communication flow path described in the claims.

  Next, the structure around the circuit board 89 will be described. A sensor accommodating chamber 79a is formed on the lower surface side of the left side surface of the cartridge body 15 (FIG. 15). A liquid remaining amount sensor 86 and a fixed spring 87 are accommodated in the sensor accommodating chamber 79a. The fixing spring 87 presses and fixes the liquid remaining amount sensor 86 against the inner wall on the lower surface side of the sensor housing chamber 79a. The opening on the left side surface of the sensor housing chamber 79 a is covered with a cover member 88, and the circuit board 89 described above is fixed to the outer surface 88 a of the cover member 88. The sensor housing chamber 79a, the liquid remaining amount sensor 86, the fixing spring 87, the cover member 88, the circuit board 89, and a sensor flow path forming chamber 79b described later are also collectively referred to as a sensor unit 79.

  Although not shown in detail, the liquid remaining amount sensor 86 includes a cavity that forms part of an intermediate flow path, which will be described later, a diaphragm that forms part of the wall surface of the cavity, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the diaphragm. Device. The terminal of the piezoelectric element is electrically connected to a part of the electrode terminal of the circuit board 89. When the ink cartridge 1 c is mounted on the ink jet printer 100, the terminal of the piezoelectric element is the electrode terminal of the circuit board 89. Electrically connected to the inkjet printer. The ink jet printer 100 can vibrate the diaphragm via the piezoelectric element by applying electric energy to the piezoelectric element. Thereafter, the ink jet printer 100 can detect the presence or absence of bubbles in the cavity by detecting the residual vibration characteristics (frequency, etc.) of the diaphragm via the piezoelectric element. Specifically, when the ink contained in the cartridge main body 15 is consumed and the state inside the cavity changes from the ink-filled state to the air-filled state, the residual vibration of the diaphragm Changes its characteristics. By detecting such a change in vibration characteristics via the remaining liquid sensor 86, the ink jet printer 100 can detect the presence or absence of ink in the cavity.

  The circuit board 89 is provided with a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), and records the ink consumption of the ink jet printer.

  On the bottom surface side of the cartridge main body 15, a decompression hole 110, a sensor flow path forming chamber 79b, and a labyrinth flow path forming chamber 95a are provided in addition to the air opening hole 14c described above (FIG. 15). The decompression hole 110 is used to suck out air and decompress the inside of the ink cartridge 1c when ink is injected in the manufacturing process of the ink cartridge 1c. The sensor flow path forming chamber 79b and the labyrinth flow path forming chamber 95a form part of an intermediate flow path that will be described later. The sensor flow path forming chamber 79b and the labyrinth flow path forming chamber 95a are the narrowest and highest flow path portions of the intermediate flow path. In particular, the labyrinth channel forming chamber 95a forms a labyrinth-like channel and generates a meniscus (liquid bridge formed in the channel), so that the channel resistance is a particularly large portion.

  The supply needle insertion hole 40, the air opening hole 14c, the decompression hole 110, the maze flow path forming chamber 95a, and the sensor flow path forming chamber 79b are respectively sealed films 83, 90, and 98 immediately after the ink cartridge 1c is manufactured. , 95, 84, the opening is sealed. Among these, the sealing film 90 is peeled off by the user before the ink cartridge 1c is mounted on the carriage 2 of the inkjet printer 100 as described above. Thus, the atmosphere opening hole 14c communicates with the outside, and the atmosphere is introduced into the ink cartridge 1c. The sealing film 83 is configured to be broken by an ink supply needle provided in the carriage 2 when the ink cartridge 1 c is mounted on the carriage 2 of the inkjet printer 100. Inside the ink supply part 30c, the seal member 50, the valve body 52, and the urging member 54 are accommodated in order from the lower surface side as in the above embodiment.

  Next, a path from the air opening hole 14c to the ink supply unit 30c will be conceptually described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a path from the atmosphere opening hole 14c to the ink supply unit 30c.

  The path from the atmosphere opening hole 14c to the ink supply unit 30c is an ink storage chamber (also referred to as “ink storage unit”) for storing ink, an air flow path upstream of the ink storage chamber, and an ink. It is roughly divided into an intermediate flow path on the downstream side of the storage chamber.

  The ink storage chamber includes a first ink storage chamber 370, a storage chamber connection path 380, and a second ink storage chamber 390 in order from the upstream. The upstream side of the storage chamber connection path 380 communicates with the first ink storage chamber 370, and the downstream side of the storage chamber connection path 380 communicates with the second ink storage chamber 390.

  The air flow path is, in order from the upstream side, the meandering path 310, the gas-liquid separation chamber 76a that houses the gas-liquid separation film 77 described above, and the connecting portions 320 to 360 that connect the gas-liquid separation chamber 76a and the ink storage chamber. It consists of. The meandering path 310 has an upstream end communicating with the atmosphere opening hole 14c and a downstream end communicating with the gas-liquid separation chamber 76a. The meandering path 310 is formed to meander in an elongated manner in order to increase the distance from the atmosphere opening hole 14c to the first ink storage chamber. Thereby, evaporation of moisture in the ink in the ink storage chamber can be suppressed. The gas-liquid separation membrane 77 is made of a material that allows gas permeation and does not allow liquid permeation. By disposing the gas-liquid separation film 77 between the upstream side and the downstream side of the gas-liquid separation chamber 76a, the ink flowing backward from the ink storage chamber is prevented from entering upstream from the gas-liquid separation chamber 76a. can do.

  The intermediate flow path accommodates the maze flow path 400, the first flow path 410, the above-described sensor unit 79, the second flow path 420, the buffer chamber 430, and the above-described differential pressure valve 70 in order from the upstream side. It is composed of a differential pressure valve housing chamber 70a and a third flow path 450. The labyrinth channel 400 includes a space formed by the above-described labyrinth channel formation chamber 95a and is formed in a three-dimensional labyrinth shape. The maze flow channel 400 can capture bubbles mixed in the ink and suppress the bubbles from being mixed into the ink downstream of the maze flow channel 400. The maze channel 400 is also referred to as a “bubble trap channel”. The first flow path 410 has an upstream end communicating with the maze flow path 400 and a downstream end communicating with the sensor flow path forming chamber 79 b of the sensor unit 79. The second flow path 420 is formed by a groove formed on the back side of the ink cartridge main body 15 and the film 81, the upstream end communicates with the sensor flow path forming chamber 79 b of the sensor unit 79, and the downstream end communicates with the buffer chamber 430. Communicate. The buffer chamber 430 communicates directly with the differential pressure valve housing chamber 70a without interposing a flow path in the middle. In the differential pressure valve storage chamber 70a, the pressure of the ink on the downstream side of the differential pressure valve storage chamber 70a is adjusted lower than the pressure of the upstream ink by the differential pressure valve 70 so that the downstream ink has a negative pressure. . The communication hole 432 is a hole that communicates between the buffer chamber 430 and the differential pressure valve housing chamber 70a (FIG. 18). The communication hole 451 is a hole that communicates between the differential pressure valve housing chamber 70a and the third flow path 450 (FIG. 18). The third flow path 450 (FIG. 18) has an upstream end communicating with the differential pressure valve housing chamber 70a and a downstream end communicating with an ink inflow hole 33c formed in the ink supply unit 30c. The third flow path 450 is a flow path in which ink that has flowed out of the differential pressure valve storage chamber 70a flows vertically downward. A communication hole 452 is formed in the middle of the third flow path 450, and the differential pressure valve 70 and the third flow path 450 are formed by a communication path formed in the ink cartridge main body 15 described later and a communication hole formed in the spring seat 73. Are communicating.

  19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. In this figure, the differential pressure valve 70, the buffer chamber 430 on the upstream side of the differential pressure valve 70, the third flow path 450 and the ink supply part 30c on the downstream side of the differential pressure valve 70 are shown. Here, for convenience of illustration, the position of the communication hole 432 that connects the buffer chamber 430 and the differential pressure valve accommodating chamber 70a is depicted slightly above the position in FIG. FIG. 19A shows a state where the differential pressure valve 70 is closed. As described above, the differential pressure valve 70 and the third flow path 450 communicate with each other through the communication holes 452 and 454 and the communication path 453. When the recording head consumes ink, the pressure on the ink supply flow path 32c decreases and the differential pressure valve 70 opens as shown in FIG. When the differential pressure valve 70 is opened, ink flows from the buffer chamber 430 through the communication hole 432 to the differential pressure valve storage chamber 70a, and is formed in the middle of the ink supply channel 32c via the third flow path 450. The ink is supplied from the ink inflow hole 33c into the ink supply channel 32c. By using the differential pressure valve 70, the ink supply pressure to the recording head can be kept within an appropriate pressure range, and as a result, ink discharge (ink ejection) from the recording head can be performed under stable conditions. It is. In addition, the ink flow path (for example, the ink supply flow path 32 c and the third flow path 450) downstream from the differential pressure valve 70 is maintained at a negative pressure, whereas the ink supply needle 60 has the ink ejection of the carriage 2. It is atmospheric pressure because it communicates with the mouth. Therefore, even when a bubble enters the ink supply port 35c when the ink supply needle 60 is inserted, the bubble is smoothly provided on the upper end side of the ink supply channel 32c without staying in the vicinity of the ink supply needle 60. It reaches the capturing part 69c. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent bubbles from entering the ink supply needle 60. As can be understood from the above description, the buffer chamber 430 is provided immediately before the differential pressure valve 70 and functions as a chamber for storing the ink introduced into the differential pressure valve 70.

E. Variation:
In addition, elements other than the elements described in the independent claims of the claims in the constituent elements in the above-described embodiments are additional elements and can be omitted as appropriate. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

E-1. First modification:
In the above embodiment, the ink supply unit has been described using an ink jet printer and an ink cartridge. However, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink, and a liquid container that contains the liquid May be adopted. The present invention can be used for various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head that ejects a minute amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, and may be in a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts) ) And a liquid as one state of the substance, as well as particles in which functional material particles made of solid materials such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. In addition, typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface light emitting display, or a color filter in a dispersed or dissolved form. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a biological organic material used in biochip manufacturing, and a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette as a sample. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of these ejecting apparatuses and liquid storage containers.

E-2. Second modification:
In the above embodiment, the ink supply ports 35 and 35c are tapered at the upper end side, but the shape is not particularly limited to this, and may be a cylindrical shape having a constant inner diameter from the upper end to the lower end. In addition, since it is necessary to provide the sealing member 50 in the ink supply ports 35 and 35c, the inner diameter of the ink supply ports 35 and 35c is larger than the diameter of the ink supply channels 32 and 32c in the cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction. Larger is preferred.

E-3. Third modification:
In the above embodiment, the ink communication path (ink communication flow path) 22 forms a flow path by the groove formed on the back surface side of the back surface member 8 and the second film attached to the back surface. The present invention is not limited to this as long as the ink in the portions 10 and 12 can flow into the liquid supply portion. For example, a hole leading from the outer surface of the ink supply unit 30 to the ink supply flow path 32 may be formed, and the ink may flow from the hole to the ink supply unit 30 via the ink inflow hole 33.

E-4. Fourth modification:
In the above embodiment, two ink storage portions 10 and 12 are formed. However, the number of ink storage portions (the number of rooms) is not limited to this.

E-5. Fifth modification:
In the third embodiment, the ink inflow hole 33b is formed in the groove 34b. However, it is only necessary that a groove is formed in the middle of the ink supply channel, and the ink inflow hole is formed at the periphery of the ink supply channel other than the groove. May be formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ink cartridge 2 ... Carriage 4 ... Recording head 5 ... Timing belt 6 ... Stepping motor 7, 7a, 7b ... Ink cartridge main body 8 ... Back surface member 9 ... Cartridge main body wall 10 ... 1st ink accommodating part 11 ... Rib 12 ... Second ink storage unit 13 ... engaging lever 13a ... projection 14 ... air release hole 14c ... air release hole 15 ... ink cartridge body 15b ... groove 16 ... ink communication path (ink communication path)
17, 18 ... Communication hole 19 ... Convex part 20 ... Communication hole 21 ... Ink introduction part 22 ... Ink communication path (ink communication channel)
30, 30a, 30b, 30c ... Ink supply section 32, 32c ... Ink supply flow path 33, 33b, 33c ... Ink inflow hole 34, 34b, 34c ... Groove 35, 35c ... Ink supply port 40 ... Supply needle insertion hole 50 ... Seal member 52 ... Valve element 53 ... Gap 54 ... Biasing member 60 ... Ink supply needle 61 ... Ink flow path 62 ... Groove part 64 ... Ink communication flow path 68 ... Space 69, 69c ... Bubble trapping part 70 ... Differential pressure valve 70a ... Difference Pressure valve storage chamber 71 ... Valve member 72 ... Spring 73 ... Spring seat 76 ... Gas-liquid separation filter 76a ... Gas-liquid separation chamber 76b ... Bank 77 ... Gas-liquid separation membrane 79 ... Sensor unit 79a ... Sensor storage chamber 79b ... Sensor flow path formation Chamber 81 ... Outer surface film 83 ... Sealing film 85 ... Film 86 ... Liquid remaining amount sensor 87 ... Fixing spring 88 ... Cover member 88a ... Outer surface 89 ... Time Substrate 89a ... Electrode terminal 90 ... Sealing film 95a ... Maze flow path forming chamber 99 ... Lid member 100 ... Inkjet printer 102a ... Rib 110 ... Depressurization hole 210 ... Recess 230 ... Protrusion 310 ... Meander path 320 ... Connection part 370 ... First Ink storage chamber 380... Storage chamber connection path 390... Second ink storage chamber 400 .. labyrinth flow path 410... First flow path 420 ... second flow path 430 ... buffer chamber 432 ... communication hole 450 ... third flow path 451 ... Communication hole 452 ... Communication hole 453 ... Communication passage 454 ... Communication hole V1 ... Volume of bubble trap 69 V2 ... Volume when space 68 is first formed PP ... Printing paper

Claims (9)

A liquid container for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container capable of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A liquid introduction part communicating the liquid storage part and the liquid supply part,
The liquid introduction part and the liquid supply part communicate through a liquid inflow hole,
The liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply channel extending in the first direction, the liquid supply needle and insertable supply needle insertion hole of the liquid ejecting apparatus, and
The liquid introduction part has a liquid communication channel partly extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction,
The liquid inflow hole opens toward a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction ;
In a posture in which the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the upper end of the liquid supply channel is closed, and a portion of the liquid supply channel that is positioned above the liquid inflow hole and the supply needle insertion hole Functions as a bubble trapping part . The liquid container according to claim 1,
The liquid storage part and the liquid introduction part communicate with each other through a communication hole,
The liquid container is characterized in that the communication hole opens in the third direction. A liquid container for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container capable of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus;
A liquid introduction part communicating the liquid storage part and the liquid supply part,
The liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply channel extending in a first direction, and a supply needle insertion hole into which a liquid supply needle of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be inserted,
Communicating via the communication hole and the liquid storage portion and the liquid introducing portion,
The liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit communicate with each other through a liquid inflow hole,
The liquid introduction part has a liquid communication channel partly extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction ,
The liquid container is formed by a main body member of the liquid container and a first film,
The liquid communication channel is formed by a groove formed on the back surface of the main body member of the liquid container and a second film,
The liquid inflow hole and the communication hole cross in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, and are directed in a third direction that is a direction from the second film toward the first film. Open
In a posture in which the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the upper end of the liquid supply channel is closed, and a portion of the liquid supply channel that is positioned above the liquid inflow hole and the supply needle insertion hole Functions as a bubble trapping part . A liquid container for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container capable of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply section capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus through a supply needle insertion hole into which the liquid supply needle of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be inserted ;
A liquid introduction part communicating the liquid storage part and the liquid supply part;
An atmosphere opening hole capable of introducing the atmosphere into the liquid container,
The liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit communicate with each other through a liquid inflow hole,
Defining a first axis, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis;
In a posture in which the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus, a surface on the positive side of the first axis of the liquid container is an upper surface, a surface on the negative direction side of the first shaft is a bottom surface, and the first The surface on the positive direction side of the second shaft is the first side surface, the surface on the negative direction side of the second shaft is the second side surface, the surface on the positive direction side of the third shaft is the front surface, and the surface of the third shaft is When the negative side is defined as the back side,
The liquid communication channel forming the liquid introduction part has a portion extending toward the bottom surface,
The liquid inflow hole opens toward the front surface ,
In an attitude of connecting the liquid container to the liquid ejecting apparatus, an upper end of the liquid supply unit is closed, and a portion of the liquid supply unit located above the liquid inflow hole and the supply needle insertion hole is a bubble. Functions as a capture unit,
The liquid container is formed of a main body member and a first film located on the front surface . A liquid container for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container capable of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply section capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus through a supply needle insertion hole into which the liquid supply needle of the liquid ejecting apparatus can be inserted ;
A liquid introduction part communicating the liquid storage part and the liquid supply part;
An atmosphere opening hole capable of introducing the atmosphere into the liquid container,
The liquid storage part and the liquid introduction part communicate with each other through a communication hole,
Defining a first axis, a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis;
In a posture in which the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus, a surface on the positive side of the first axis of the liquid container is an upper surface, a surface on the negative direction side of the first shaft is a bottom surface, and the first The surface on the positive direction side of the second shaft is the first side surface, the surface on the negative direction side of the second shaft is the second side surface, the surface on the positive direction side of the third shaft is the front surface, and the surface of the third shaft is When the negative side is defined as the back side,
The liquid communication channel forming the liquid introduction part has a portion extending toward the bottom surface,
The communication hole opens toward the front ,
In a posture in which the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus, the upper end of the liquid supply unit is closed, and a portion of the liquid supply unit located above the liquid inflow hole and the supply needle insertion hole is a bubble. Functions as a capture unit,
The liquid container is formed of a main body member and a first film located on the front surface . In the liquid container according to claim 4 or 5 ,
Before SL liquid communication channel, and wherein formed on the back surface of the body member groove, the second is formed by the film, the liquid container, characterized in that located in the rear. In the liquid container according to claim 4 or 5 ,
Before Kirendoriana is open toward the first film, the liquid container, characterized in that. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 4 to 7 ,
In a posture in which the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid communication channel has a portion extending vertically downward. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 4 to 6 ,
The liquid container is characterized in that the liquid introduction part protrudes from the back surface toward the front surface.

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