JP5919858B2 - Liquid container and liquid consuming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container.

  A printing apparatus that uses ink as a printing material is generally equipped with an ink cartridge that contains ink therein. For example, the ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1 has a flexible ink pack disposed therein, and the ink pack is filled with ink.

JP 2007-83777 A JP 2007-83678 A JP 2007-83679 A JP 2007-83680 A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, an ink cartridge is formed by filling an ink pack with ink and then sandwiching the ink pack between an upper case and a lower case. However, with such a technique, if the ink pack is filled with ink, it may be difficult to sandwich the ink pack between the upper case and the lower case when the ink cartridge is manufactured. Therefore, a technique capable of efficiently manufacturing an ink cartridge has been desired. Such a problem is not limited to ink but is a problem common to liquid containers capable of accommodating various liquids.

  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.

Application Example 1 A liquid container including a liquid container bag having a flat end extending in a first direction, an opening at one end, and the liquid container bag extending from the opening in the first direction. A case member inserted and accommodated, wherein the case member extends in the first direction and includes at least an end portion accommodating portion for accommodating the end portion of the liquid containing bag, and a main portion of the liquid containing bag. And a partition wall that partitions the end portion storage portion and the main portion storage portion, and the end portion of the liquid storage bag can be inserted into the partition wall. A liquid container in which a slit is formed along the first direction.

  In such an embodiment, since the liquid can be injected into the liquid storage bag in a state where the flat end of the liquid storage bag can be freely inserted into the slit, the ink pack is formed in the case member at the time of liquid injection. It is possible to prevent wrinkles and creases from occurring. As a result, it becomes possible to inject the liquid smoothly, and the liquid container can be manufactured efficiently.

Application Example 2 In the liquid container according to Application Example 1, the end portion on the one end side of the slit and the end portion on the one end side of the end portion receiving portion communicate with the opening. The end portion on the one end side of the end portion accommodating portion is a liquid container that extends toward the opening. If it is such an aspect, when inserting a liquid storage bag in a case member, the edge part of a liquid container can be easily accommodated in an edge part accommodating part.

[Application Example 3] The liquid container according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, wherein a portion of the partition wall where the slit is formed is chamfered along the first direction. Container. If it is such an aspect, the edge part of a liquid container can be easily penetrated to a slit.

Application Example 4 The liquid container according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 3, wherein the inner circumference length of the liquid container bag along the second direction and the main part housing The liquid container, wherein the length of the inner periphery along the second direction of the portion is substantially the same. If it is such an aspect, a liquid can be filled to every corner in a main part accommodating part.

Application Example 5 The liquid container according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 4, wherein the end portion is accommodated in the end portion accommodating portion, and the main portion is the main portion. A liquid container in which a liquid is injected into the liquid container bag in a state of being housed in a container. If it is such an aspect, since a liquid will be inject | poured after inserting a liquid storage bag in a case member, a liquid container can be manufactured efficiently.

Application Example 6 A liquid consuming apparatus in which the liquid container described in any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 5 is mounted and consumes the liquid stored in the liquid container. Thus, the present invention can also be realized as an aspect of a liquid consumption device.

Application Example 7 A method for manufacturing a liquid container, the step of preparing a liquid container bag having a flat first end extending in a first direction and a case member having an opening at one end ( A), a step (B) of inserting the liquid storage bag into the case member from the opening along the first direction, and a liquid injection into the liquid storage bag after the step (B) Step (C), wherein the case member extends in the first direction, and includes at least a first end accommodating portion that accommodates at least the first end portion of the liquid accommodating bag, and the liquid accommodating A main part accommodating part that accommodates a main part of the bag, a first partition wall that divides the first end part accommodating part and the main part accommodating part, and the first partition wall includes: A first slit into which the first end of the liquid containing bag can be inserted is formed along the first direction. In the step (B), the liquid storage bag is inserted into the case member while passing the first end portion of the liquid storage bag through the first slit along the first direction. Production method.

  With such a manufacturing method, the liquid container is inserted into the case member while passing the first end of the liquid container through the first slit, so that the liquid container can be easily assembled. . In addition, since the liquid is injected into the liquid storage bag after the liquid storage bag is inserted into the case member, the case member can be efficiently filled with the liquid.

Application Example 8 In the manufacturing method according to Application Example 7, the liquid storage bag further includes a flat second end portion facing the first end portion, and the case member is Furthermore, a second end accommodating portion that accommodates the second end portion of the liquid accommodating bag, a second partition wall that partitions the second end accommodating portion and the main portion accommodating portion. And the second partition wall is formed with a second slit through which the second end of the liquid containing bag can be inserted along the first direction, and the first end The part accommodating part has a flat space along the first partition wall, the second end accommodating part has a flat space along the second partition wall, and the step ( In B), the first end portion and the second end portion are bent in opposite directions toward the direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the first end portion is bent in the first direction. The slit, the second end the second slit, while passing respectively along the first direction, a manufacturing method of inserting the liquid containing bag in the casing member. If it is such an aspect, the 1st end part and 2nd end part of a liquid storage bag can be easily inserted in a flat 1st edge part accommodating part and 2nd edge part accommodating part. it can.

Application Example 9 In the manufacturing method according to Application Example 7 or Application Example 8, in the step (C), the liquid is injected into the liquid storage bag in a state where the case member is sandwiched between support members. Production method. If it is such an aspect, since it can suppress that a case member swells, a liquid can be spread over every corner in a liquid storage bag.

  The present invention can be implemented in various forms such as the liquid container, the liquid consuming device, the method for manufacturing the liquid container, and the usage of the liquid container and the liquid consuming device.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus. It is a detailed external perspective view of a cartridge holder. It is an external appearance perspective view of a cartridge. It is a disassembled perspective view of a cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a cartridge holder. It is a perspective view which shows the detail of an ink introduction mechanism. It is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of a cartridge. It is a perspective view of a case member. It is a figure which shows the AA cross section in FIG. 8 of a case member. It is a figure which shows the BB cross section in FIG. 8 of a case member. It is a figure which shows the cross-section of the case member in the CC line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the expanded cross section of the periphery of a slit. It is a side view of an ink pack. It is a figure which shows the other aspect of an ink pack. It is a figure which shows a mode that an ink pack is inserted in a case member. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a case member. It is a figure which shows a mode that the ink was filled in the ink pack. It is a figure which shows a mode that the ink was filled in the ink pack.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet printing apparatus to which a cartridge as a liquid container is mounted. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes orthogonal to each other are drawn. The XYZ axes in FIG. 1 correspond to the XYZ axes in the other drawings. The XYZ axes are attached to the drawings shown thereafter as necessary. In the present embodiment, in the usage posture of the printing apparatus 10, the Z-axis is the vertical direction (gravity direction), the Y-axis is the mounting / removal direction of the cartridge 40 with respect to the cartridge holder 60, and the X-axis is the direction in which the plurality of cartridges 40 are arranged. It is. More specifically, the + Z-axis direction is the vertically upward direction, the -Z-axis direction is the vertically downward direction, the + Y-axis direction is the drawing direction of the cartridge 40, the -Y-axis phrase is the insertion direction of the cartridge 40, and the + X-axis direction is the cartridge. 40 is a direction on the surface side where a predetermined label LB (see FIG. 4) is attached, and the −X axis direction is the direction of the back surface. Hereinafter, the + Z axis direction may be referred to as up, the −Z axis direction as downward, the + Y axis direction as front, and the −Y axis direction as rear. The Z-axis direction is also a direction in which the ink introduction needle 730 and the terminal 712 shown in FIG. The + Z-axis direction is a direction from the ink introduction needle 730 toward the terminal 712, and the −Z-axis direction is the opposite direction. Further, the + Y axis direction is also a direction in which the ink pack 43 is inserted into the case member 41 in the manufacturing method of the cartridge 40 described later (see FIG. 15). The Y-axis direction corresponds to the “first direction” of the present application, and the Z-axis direction corresponds to the “second direction” of the present application.

  The printing apparatus 10 as a liquid consuming apparatus has a substantially box-shaped appearance. A front cover 11 is provided substantially at the center of the front surface of the printing apparatus 10, and a plurality of operation buttons 15 are provided on the + X axis direction side thereof. The front cover 11 is pivotally supported on the lower end side, and when the upper end side is tilted forward, a paper discharge port 12 through which printing paper is discharged appears. In addition, a paper feed tray (not shown) is provided on the back side of the printing apparatus 10. When the printing paper is set in the paper feeding tray and the operation button 15 is operated, the printing paper is fed from the paper feeding tray, and an image or the like is printed on the surface inside, and then the printing paper is ejected from the paper discharge port 12. The

  An upper surface cover 14 is provided on the upper surface side of the printing apparatus 10. The upper surface cover 14 is pivotally supported on the back side, and when the upper surface cover 14 is opened by lifting the front side, the internal state of the printing apparatus 10 can be confirmed or the printing apparatus 10 can be repaired. Can do.

  Inside the printing apparatus 10 are mounted an ejection head 20 that forms ink dots on printing paper while reciprocating in the main scanning direction, and a drive mechanism 30 that reciprocates the ejection head 20. A plurality of ejection nozzles are provided on the bottom surface side (side facing the printing paper) of the ejection head 20, and ink is ejected from the ejection nozzles toward the printing paper.

  The ink ejected from the ejection nozzle is contained in the cartridge 40. The cartridge 40 is loaded in a cartridge holder 60 provided at a position different from the ejection head 20. The ink in the cartridge 40 is supplied to the ejection head 20 via the ink tube 24. In the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a cartridge replacement cover 13 that is pivotally supported on the lower end side is provided on the right side of the front cover 11. The cartridge 40 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge holder 60 by tilting the upper end side of the cartridge replacement cover 13 forward.

  The printing apparatus 10 can print a color image using four types of inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The ejection head 20 is provided with ejection nozzles for each type of ink. The ink in the corresponding cartridge 40 is supplied to each ejection nozzle through an ink tube 24 provided for each type of ink. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 performs printing using four types of ink, but printing may be performed using five or more types or three or less types of ink.

  A drive mechanism 30 that reciprocates the ejection head 20 includes a timing belt 32 having a plurality of teeth formed therein, a drive motor 34 for driving the timing belt 32, and the like. A part of the timing belt 32 is fixed to the ejection head 20. When the timing belt 32 is driven, the ejection head 20 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction while being guided by a guide rail (not shown) extending in the main scanning direction.

  An area called a home position is provided at a position outside the printing area where the ejection head 20 is moved in the main scanning direction. The home position is equipped with a maintenance mechanism. The maintenance mechanism is pressed against the surface (nozzle surface) on which the ejection nozzle is formed on the bottom surface side of the ejection head 20, and forms a closed space so as to surround the ejection nozzle, or the nozzle surface of the ejection head 20 An elevating mechanism (not shown) that raises and lowers the cap 80 for pressing, a suction pump (not shown) that introduces negative pressure into a closed space formed by the cap 80 being pressed against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 20, etc. Is provided.

  Inside the printing apparatus 10, a paper feeding mechanism (not shown) for feeding printing paper and a control unit 16 that controls the overall operation of the printing apparatus 10 are mounted. The control unit 16 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The operation of reciprocating the ejection head 20, the operation of feeding printing paper, the operation of ejecting ink from the ejection nozzles, the operation of performing maintenance so that printing can be normally performed, and the like are all controlled by the control unit 16. .

  FIG. 2 is a detailed external perspective view of the cartridge holder 60. The cartridge holder 60 is provided with a slot 61 into which the cartridge 40 is inserted from the + Y axis direction toward the −Y axis direction. The slot 61 is provided with a guide groove 62 for each cartridge 40 along the Y-axis direction on the surface (upper surface) on the + Z-axis direction side and the surface (bottom surface) on the -Z-axis direction side. In each guide groove 62, when the cartridge 40 is mounted, rail portions 413 and 414 (FIG. 3) provided on the surface (upper surface) on the + Z axis direction side and the surface (bottom surface) on the −Z axis direction side of the cartridge 40, respectively. Fits and slides.

  A fixing lever 63 for fixing the cartridge 40 is provided for each cartridge 40 at the upper part of the inlet of the slot 61. When the fixing lever 63 is slid in the −Z axis direction, the fixing lever 63 is fitted into the handle 415 (FIG. 3) of the cartridge 40 and restricts the movement of the cartridge 40 in the + Y axis direction.

  A pump unit 7 for sucking ink from the cartridge 40 is provided for each cartridge 40 at the end in the −Y-axis direction of the cartridge holder 60. Each pump unit 7 is connected to a pump drive motor 8 for driving the pump unit 7. The ink sucked by the pump unit 7 is supplied to the ejection head 20 through the ink tube 24.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the cartridge 40. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 40. The cartridge 40 includes a case member 41, a lid member 42, a flexible ink pack 43, and a liquid flow path member 44. The ink pack 43 corresponds to the “liquid storage bag” of the present application. The ink pack 43 is a so-called pillow type bag, and the liquid flow path member 44 is fixed to the opening in the −Y axis direction. The upper end portion 431 (the end portion in the + Z axis direction), the lower end portion 432 (the end portion in the −Z axis direction), and the end portion in the + Y axis direction of the ink pack 43 are formed flat.

  The case member 41 includes a right case 411 and a left case 412. A handle 415 is provided at the end in the + Y-axis direction of the case member 41. A label LB is attached to the surface of the right case 411 on the + X axis direction side. In the case member 41, rail portions 413 and 414 are formed along the Y-axis direction on the surface in the + Z-axis direction and the surface in the -Z-axis direction. These rail portions 413 and 414 fit into the guide groove 62 of the cartridge holder 60 shown in FIG. 2 when the cartridge 40 is mounted in the cartridge holder 60.

  The liquid flow path member 44 is a member for supplying the ink filled in the ink pack 43 to the printing apparatus 10. The liquid flow path member 44 is welded (fixed) to the opening in the −Y axis direction of the ink pack 43. The liquid flow path member 44 is accommodated inside the lid member 42 when the lid member 42 is attached to the opening at the end of the case member 41 in the −Y-axis direction. The ink pack 43 is accommodated between the right case 411 and the left case 412 constituting the case member 41.

  An ink filling port 441, an ink supply pipe 443, and an ink detection chamber 442 are provided on the surface on the −Y-axis direction side (surface opposite to the ink pack 43) of the liquid flow path member 44 in the + Z-axis direction. They are arranged in this order from the end toward the -Z axis. The ink filling port 441 communicates with the inside of the ink pack 43 and is provided to fill the ink in the ink pack 43. After ink is filled into the ink pack 43 through the ink filling port 441, the ink filling port 441 is sealed.

  The ink detection chamber 442 communicates with the inside of the ink pack 43 and is used for detecting the remaining state of the ink in the ink pack 43. A flexible film member 491 is provided on the surface of the ink detection chamber 442 on the −Y axis direction side. A spring 493 is disposed between the film member 491 and the bottom surface of the ink detection chamber 442 (the inner surface on the + Y axis direction side) via a pressure receiving member 494. Ink flows from the ink pack 43 into the ink detection chamber 442 through the check valve 492. A plate-shaped sensor lever 495 is disposed on the −Y axis direction side of the film member 491. The sensor lever 495 has an end in the −Z-axis direction fixed to the liquid flow path member 44 so as to be freely rotatable. A contact portion 496 is provided on the surface on the −Y-axis direction side of the + Z-axis end of the sensor lever 495. An end portion in the + Y-axis direction of a bar member 720 (FIG. 6) provided on the printing apparatus 10 side comes into contact with the contact portion 496 through a sensor hole 423 provided in the lid member 42. For example, when a predetermined amount or more of ink is present in the ink pack 43, the sum of the pressure of the ink in the ink detection chamber 442 (pressure in the ink pack) and the force of the spring 493 is the + Y-axis direction of the bar member 720. Exceeds the pressing force on. Therefore, the film member 491, the sensor lever 495, and the bar member 720 are displaced in the −Y axis direction. On the other hand, when the amount of ink is less than the predetermined amount (in the case of ink end), the sum of the pressure of the ink in the ink detection chamber 442 (pressure in the ink pack) and the force of the spring 493 is the + Y axis of the bar member 720. Below the pressing force in the direction. Therefore, the film member 491, the sensor lever 495, and the bar member 720 are displaced in the + Y axis direction.

  The ink supply pipe 443 is used for supplying ink to the printing apparatus 10. The ink supply pipe 443 communicates with the ink detection chamber 442 through a flow path formed inside the liquid flow path member 44. Therefore, ink flows into the ink supply pipe 443 from the ink pack 43 through the ink detection chamber 442. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 40 includes the ink detection chamber 442, but the ink detection chamber 442 may be omitted. In this case, the ink supply pipe 443 communicates directly with the ink pack 43.

  On the lid member 42, the substrate 50, the supply pipe hole 421, and the sensor hole 423 are formed on the contact surface 425 on the −Y axis direction side that contacts the printing apparatus 10 side from the end in the + Z axis direction. They are arranged in this order toward the Z-axis direction.

  The substrate 50 is attached to the recess 424 provided at the end of the lid member 42 in the + Z-axis direction so as to face obliquely upward. A storage device (not shown) is mounted on the back surface (+ Y-axis direction side surface) of the substrate 50. A plurality of terminals 51 (FIG. 3) electrically connected to the storage device are provided on the surface of the substrate 50 (the surface on the −Y axis direction side). When the cartridge 40 is mounted on the cartridge holder 60, the terminal 712 (FIG. 6) on the printing apparatus 10 side provided on the cartridge holder 60 contacts the terminal 51 on the surface of the substrate 50. Then, the control unit 16 of the printing apparatus 10 can access the storage device provided in the cartridge 40.

  An ink supply pipe 443 provided in the liquid flow path member 44 is exposed in the supply pipe hole 421. The supply pipe hole 421 is recessed toward the + Y-axis direction and has a predetermined depth. The inner wall below the supply pipe hole 421 (−Z-axis direction) is inclined so as to rise in the + Z-axis direction from the −Y-axis direction toward the + Y-axis direction. In other words, the inner wall below the supply pipe hole 421 (−Z-axis direction) is inclined so as to descend in the −Z-axis direction from the + Y-axis direction toward the −Y-axis direction. The supply pipe hole 421 is positioned vertically above the contact portion 496 of the sensor lever 495 described above.

  A rod member 720 (FIG. 6) provided in the printing apparatus 10 is inserted into the sensor hole 423. As described above, the end of the bar member 720 in the + Y-axis direction is connected to the sensor lever 495 provided in the liquid flow path member 44 through the sensor hole 423 when the cartridge 40 is attached to the cartridge holder 60. It contacts the contact part 496.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the cartridge holder 60. FIG. 5 shows a state where the upper cover 64 and the side plates 65 and 66 of the cartridge holder 60 are removed from the perspective view shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, an ink introduction mechanism 70 is provided in the cartridge holder 60 for each cartridge 40 adjacent to the end portion in the −Y-axis direction of the guide groove 62 provided on the bottom plate 67. It is erected. A pump unit 7 is connected to each ink introduction mechanism 70. An ink absorbing material 69 is disposed below the ink introduction mechanism 70.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing details of the ink introduction mechanism 70. The ink introduction mechanism 70 includes a substrate contact portion 710, a rod member 720, an ink introduction needle 730, and an ink receiving member 740.

  The substrate contact portion 710 is provided at the end of the ink introduction mechanism 70 in the + Z axis direction. The substrate contact portion 710 has a terminal 712 that comes into electrical contact with the terminal 51 on the substrate 50 provided in the cartridge 40 when the cartridge 40 is mounted in the cartridge holder 60. A connector 714 is provided on the back side of the terminal 712. The connector 714 is connected to the control unit 16 through a predetermined cable.

  The bar member 720 is provided at a substantially central portion of the ink introduction mechanism 70 in the Z-axis direction. The end of the bar member 720 in the + Y-axis direction is inserted into the sensor hole 423 when the cartridge 40 is attached to the cartridge holder 60, and contacts the contact portion 496 of the sensor lever 495 provided in the ink supply member 480. To do. The end of the bar member 720 on the −Y axis direction side is located in the ink introduction mechanism 70, and the position thereof is detected by a photosensor provided in the ink introduction mechanism 70. The control unit 16 detects the remaining state of the ink in the cartridge 40 according to the change in the position of the end in the −Y-axis direction of the bar member 720 detected by the photosensor.

  The ink introduction needle 730 is provided between the substrate contact portion 710 and the bar member 720 in the Z-axis direction. The ink introduction needle 730 is inserted (connected) into the ink supply pipe 443 provided in the cartridge 40 when the cartridge 40 is mounted on the cartridge holder 60. An ink introduction port is provided below the tip of the ink introduction needle 730 (the end in the + Y-axis direction). The ink in the cartridge 40 is introduced into the printing apparatus 10 through the ink introduction port.

  The ink receiving member 740 is a member for catching ink dripping from the ink introduction port of the ink introduction needle 730 when the cartridge 40 is removed. The ink receiving member 740 is attached to the ink introduction mechanism 70 with the spring 750 interposed therebetween. The ink receiving member 740 is biased in the + Y-axis direction by the spring 750 when the cartridge 40 is not attached to the cartridge holder 60. The ink receiving member 740 is configured by integrally forming a substantially circular contact portion 741, a receiving tray 742, and a collar member 743. The contact portion 741 is provided with an opening 744 extending from the center of the contact portion 741 to the position of the base end (end portion in the −Y axis direction) of the tray 742 in the −Z axis direction. An ink introduction needle 730 protrudes from the opening 744. A tray 742 is provided below the opening 744 on the surface on the + Y-axis direction side of the contact portion 741. A flange member 743 extending downward from the contact portion 741 is provided at the lower portion of the contact portion 741. The collar member 743 is bent in the −X axis direction side in order to avoid the bar member 720 located below the ink introduction needle 730. When the ink dripping from the ink introduction port of the ink introduction needle 730 is captured by the receiving tray 742, the ink travels through the flange member 743 and is absorbed by the ink absorbing material 69 provided on the bottom plate 67 of the cartridge holder 60.

  The configuration of the printing apparatus 10 and the cartridge 40 has been described above. Below, the manufacturing method of the cartridge 40 is demonstrated with the detailed structure of the case member 41. FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the manufacturing method of the cartridge 40. In the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, first, the case member 41 and the ink pack 43 are prepared (step S10). Specifically, a case member 41 in which a right case 411 and a left case 412 are combined, and an ink pack 43 to which a liquid flow path member 44 is attached and not filled with ink are prepared.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the case member 41 prepared in step S10. An opening 416 extending in the Z-axis direction is provided at the center of the end surface of the case member 41 in the −Y-axis direction. The upper end (end in the + Z-axis direction) of the opening 416 extends in the + X-axis direction, and the lower end (end in the −Z-axis direction) extends in the −X-axis direction.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 8 of the case member 41. That is, FIG. 9 is a view of the right case 411 (FIG. 4) as viewed from the −X axis direction side. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 8, an upper inclined wall 417 is provided at the upper end of the opening 416 of the right case 411 so as to incline toward the + Z-axis direction as it goes toward the + Y-axis direction.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing a BB cross section in FIG. 8 of the case member 41. That is, FIG. 10 is a view of the left case 412 (FIG. 4) as viewed from the + X-axis direction side. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 8, a lower inclined wall 418 is provided at the lower end of the opening 416 of the left case 412 so as to incline toward the −Z axis direction as it goes toward the + Y axis direction. Yes.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of the case member 41 taken along the line CC of FIG. The internal space of the case member 41 includes a main portion storage portion 470 in which the main portion of the ink pack 43 is stored, an upper end storage portion 471 in which the flat upper end portion 431 of the ink pack 43 is stored, and the ink pack 43. The flat lower end 432 is partitioned into a lower end accommodating portion 472 that accommodates the lower end portion 432. The main part of the ink pack 43 is a part filled with ink, and is a part excluding a flat end.

  The main portion accommodating portion 470 is located at the center inside the case member 41. The upper end accommodating portion 471 is adjacent to the + Z axial direction side of the main portion accommodating portion 470. The lower end accommodating portion 472 is adjacent to the main portion accommodating portion 470 in the −Z-axis direction. The main portion accommodating portion 470 and the upper end portion accommodating portion 471 are partitioned by an upper partition wall 473 along the XY plane. The main portion accommodating portion 470 and the lower end portion accommodating portion 472 are partitioned by a lower partition wall 474 along the XY plane. Each of the upper partition wall 473 and the lower partition wall 474 is provided with slits 475 and 476 along the Y-axis direction at the center. The upper end accommodating portion 471 is a plate-like space along the upper partition wall 473. Further, the lower end accommodating portion 472 is a plate-like space along the lower partition wall 474. The thickness in the Z-axis direction of the upper end accommodating portion 471 and the lower end accommodating portion 472 and the width in the X axis direction of the slits 475 and 476 are determined by the flat upper end 431 or lower end 432 of the ink pack 43. Greater than thickness.

  FIG. 12A is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the slit 475. The slit 475 formed in the upper partition wall 473 is chamfered. Specifically, the lower (−Z axis direction side) corner of the boundary between the slit on the −X axis direction side and the slit 475 of the two upper partition walls 473 sandwiching the slit 475 is inclined. Thus, the upper partition wall 473 is chamfered along the Y-axis direction. Further, the boundary between the portion on the + X-axis direction side of the two upper partition walls 473 sandwiching the slit 475 and the slit 475 is in the Y-axis direction so that the corner on the upper side (+ Z-axis direction side) is inclined. The upper partition wall 473 is chamfered along. That is, the opposing surfaces of the upper partition wall 473 divided by the slits 475 are inclined in the same direction so as to be parallel to each other. If such a slit 475 is formed in the upper partition wall 473, the upper end 431 of the ink pack 43 is inclined upward when the upper end 431 of the ink pack 43 is inserted into the slit 475 in the manufacturing process described later. It becomes easy to bend to the + X-axis direction side where the wall 417 is formed. In the present embodiment, the opposing surfaces of the upper partition wall 473 divided by the slits 475 are all chamfered, but only one of them may be chamfered.

  FIG. 12B is an enlarged cross-sectional view around the slit 476. The slit 476 formed on the lower partition wall 474 is also chamfered in the same manner as the slit 475 formed on the upper partition wall 473. If such a slit 476 is formed in the lower partition wall 474, when the lower end 432 of the ink pack 43 is inserted into the slit 476 in the manufacturing process described later, the lower end 432 of the ink pack 43 The side inclined wall 418 is formed and is easily bent toward the −X axis direction side. In the present embodiment, the opposing surfaces of the lower partition wall 474 divided by the slits 476 are all chamfered, but only one of them may be chamfered.

  11 communicates with the opening 416 on the end surface of the case member 41 in the −Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the inner periphery of the XZ cross section of the main portion accommodating portion 470 has a substantially hexagonal shape. In the present embodiment, the length of the outer periphery in the XZ section of the ink pack 43 is longer than the length of the inner periphery in the XZ section of the main portion containing portion 470 because the flat upper end 431 and lower end 432 are formed. Just long. Further, the length of the inner circumference of the main portion containing portion 470 in the XZ section is substantially equal to the length of the inner circumference of the ink pack 43 in the XZ section. In the present embodiment, the inner circumference of the XZ cross section of the main portion accommodating portion 470 is a substantially hexagonal shape, but may be a substantially rectangular shape or another polygonal shape. Further, for example, the corner may be configured by a curve.

  The upper partition wall 473 forming the upper end accommodating portion 471 has an upper surface on the side (+ X axis direction side) on which the upper inclined wall 417 is formed, of the two portions sandwiching the slit 475, and an upper surface of the upper inclined wall 417. (See FIGS. 8 and 9). The lower partition wall 474 forming the lower end accommodating portion 472 has a lower surface on the side where the lower inclined wall 418 is formed (the −X axis direction side) of the two portions sandwiching the slit 476. It is connected to the lower surface of the lower inclined wall 418 (see FIGS. 8 and 10).

  FIG. 13 is a side view of the ink pack 43 prepared in step S10. The ink pack 43 is a so-called pillow type bag. In this embodiment, the ink pack 43 is formed by bonding two flexible film members at the upper end portion 431, the lower end portion 432, and the end portion in the + Y axis direction. The hatched portion in the figure indicates a place where two film members are welded and flattened. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid flow path member 44 is fixed (welded) to the end of the ink pack 43 in the −Y axis direction.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another aspect of the ink pack. FIG. 13 shows an example in which two flexible film members are bonded together, but FIG. 14 shows an ink pack 43b in which one film member long in the Y-axis direction is folded at the center thereof. The example which formed is shown. In the present embodiment, the ink pack shown in FIG. 13 or FIG. 14 may be prepared.

  In step S10 shown in FIG. 7, when the case member 41 and the ink pack 43 described above are prepared, the ink pack 43 is subsequently inserted into the case member 41 (step S20).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ink pack 43 is inserted into the case member 41. In FIG. 15, the liquid flow path member 44 is not shown. In step S20, the end of the ink pack 43 in the + Y axis direction is inserted from the opening 416 formed on the end surface of the cartridge 40 in the −Y axis direction. At this time, the upper end portion 431 of the ink pack 43 is bent in the + X axis direction, and the lower end portion 432 of the ink pack 43 is bent in the direction opposite to the upper end portion 431, that is, in the −X axis direction. Then, the bent portion of the upper end 431 is inserted along the upper inclined wall 417 provided at the upper portion of the opening 416 of the cartridge 40, and the bent portion of the lower end 432 is provided at the lower portion of the opening 416 of the cartridge 40. It is inserted along the lower inclined wall 418 formed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of the case member 41 in a state where the ink pack 43 is inserted into the case member 41. FIG. 16 shows a CC cross section of the case member 41 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, when the ink pack 43 is inserted into the case member 41, the upper end portion 431 of the ink pack 43 passes through the slit 475 in the + X-axis direction of the upper end portion receiving portion 471 in the case member 41. The lower end 432 is accommodated in the space on the −X axis direction side of the lower end accommodating portion 472 through the slit 476. The main part of the ink pack 43 is accommodated in the main part accommodating part 470. In this way, the ink pack 43 is accommodated in the case member 41 by being bent into an S shape.

  In step S20 shown in FIG. 7, when the ink pack 43 is inserted into the case member 41, ink is filled into the ink pack 43 through the ink filling port 441 (FIG. 4) (step S30).

  17 and 18 are views showing a state in which ink is filled in the ink pack 43. FIG. FIG. 17 shows a CC cross section of the case member 41 in FIG. FIG. 18 shows a state where the right case 411 is removed from the case member 41. In FIG. 17, hatched portions indicate portions filled with ink. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, when ink is filled in the ink pack 43, the ink pack 43 swells along the inner wall of the case member 41, and almost all of the main portion accommodating portion 470 is formed. Ink spreads through the space. In the present embodiment, even if the ink pack 43 is filled with ink, the upper end portion 431 of the ink pack 43 remains inserted into the slit 475 and the lower end portion 432 also remains inserted into the slit 476. As described above, if the upper end portion 431 and the lower end portion 432 of the ink pack 43 are still inserted into the slits 475 and 476 even after the ink is filled, the ink in the ink pack 43 is consumed as the printing apparatus 10 consumes the ink. Even when the remaining amount of ink decreases, the ink pack 43 has an upper end portion 431 and a lower end portion 432 again as shown in FIG. It will be accommodated in the part accommodating part 472. Therefore, the ink pack 43 is prevented from being bent or wrinkled in the main portion storage portion 470. As a result, it is possible to suppress ink from remaining in a bent portion or a wrinkle portion, so that it is possible to consume ink without waste.

  When ink is filled into the ink pack 43 in step S30, support members 800 having higher rigidity than the case member 41 are disposed on the surface on the + X axis direction side and the surface on the −X axis direction side of the case member 41, respectively. It is preferable to do. By disposing the support member 800, the ink pack 43 is prevented from excessively expanding in the X-axis direction, which is most likely to expand, in association with the ink filling operation, and the ink extends to every corner in the Z-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Can be spread. As shown in FIG. 17, the support member 800 may be configured by, for example, two opposing metal plates, and the cartridge 40 may be sandwiched therebetween. Further, the support member 800 can have a box-like configuration in which one surface or two opposing surfaces are opened, and the cartridge 40 can be fitted through the opening.

  In step S30 shown in FIG. 7, when the ink pack 43 is filled with ink, the ink filling port 441 is sealed (step S40). In the manufacturing method of this embodiment, sealing is performed by applying heat caulking to the ink filling port 441. When the ink filling port 441 is sealed, finally, the lid member 42 is attached to the case member 41, and a series of manufacturing steps of the cartridge 40 is completed.

  According to the cartridge 40 of the present embodiment described above, the inside of the case member 41 of the cartridge 40 is divided into three rooms, ie, a main part accommodating part 470, an upper end accommodating part 471, and a lower end accommodating part 472. The upper partition wall 473 and the lower partition wall 474 that partition the rooms are provided with slits 475 and 476 along the direction in which the ink pack 43 is inserted into the case member 41. Therefore, when the cartridge 40 is manufactured, the ink pack 43 can be easily accommodated in the case member 41 by inserting the flat upper end 431 and lower end 432 of the ink pack 43 into the slits 475 and 476. it can. In the present embodiment, ink is injected while the upper end 431 and the lower end 432 of the ink pack 43 can be freely inserted through the slits 475 and 476 in the Z-axis direction. Ink can be injected over every corner without generating.

  In the present embodiment, the opening 416 of the case member 41 into which the ink pack 43 is inserted is provided with an upper inclined wall 417 connected to the upper partition wall 473 and a lower inclined wall 418 connected to the lower partition wall 474. It has been. Therefore, a front opening connected to the upper end accommodating portion 471 and the lower end accommodating portion 472 is widened toward the opening 416. As a result, the upper end portion 431 and the lower end portion 432 of the ink pack 43 can be smoothly inserted into the upper end portion accommodating portion 471 and the lower end portion accommodating portion 472.

  Further, in this embodiment, the slits 475 and 476 are chamfered along the direction in which the upper end portion 431 and the lower end portion 432 of the ink pack 43 are bent. Therefore, when the ink pack 43 contracts or expands, the upper end portion 431 and the lower end portion 432 of the ink pack 43 can easily pass through the slits 475 and 476. As a result, the upper end portion 431 and the lower end portion 432 of the ink pack 43 are smoothly accommodated in the flat upper end portion accommodating portion 471 and the lower end portion accommodating portion 472. In the present embodiment, as the ink is consumed, the upper end portion 431 and the lower end portion 432 of the ink pack 43 are gradually accommodated in the upper end accommodating portion 471 and the lower end accommodating portion 472, respectively. To go. Therefore, the ink pack 43 is not bent or wrinkled in the main portion storage portion 470. Therefore, it is possible to consume ink without waste.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the length of the inner circumference along the Z-axis direction of the ink pack 43 is substantially the same as the length of the inner circumference along the Z-axis direction of the main portion housing portion 470. For this reason, the ink pack 43 can expand to every corner in the main portion accommodating portion 470, so that ink can be injected by making the most of the space in the case member 41. The reason why the lengths of both are not the same but “substantially the same” is that the ink pack 43 has a thickness.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ink is injected into the ink pack 43 after the ink pack 43 is inserted into the case member 41. Therefore, the cartridge 40 can be formed much more easily than injecting ink into the ink pack 43 and then inserting it into the case member 41. Also. In the present embodiment, the upper end portion 431 and the lower end portion 432 of the ink pack 43 are accommodated in the upper end accommodating portion 471 and the lower end accommodating portion 472, and the main portion of the ink pack 43 is accommodated in the main portion accommodating portion 470. Ink is injected into the ink pack 43 in the accommodated state. Therefore, the ink pack 43 can be prevented from being bent or wrinkled in the case member 41 when the ink pack 43 expands as the ink is injected. As a result, ink can be easily injected.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the present invention can be applied not only to a printing apparatus and its cartridge, but also to any liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid other than ink and its liquid container. For example, the present invention can be applied to the following various liquid ejecting apparatuses and the liquid storage containers.
(1) Image recording device such as facsimile device (2) Color material injection device used for manufacturing color filter for image display device such as liquid crystal display (3) Organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display and surface emitting display (Field Electrode material injection device used for electrode formation such as Emission Display (FED), etc. (4) Liquid injection device for injecting liquid containing biological organic material used for biochip manufacturing (5) Sample injection device as a precision pipette (6) Lubrication Oil injection device (7) Resin liquid injection device (8) Liquid injection device for injecting lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machines such as watches and cameras (9) Micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. ), Etc., to inject a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto the substrate (10) Acid or to etch the substrate A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects alkaline of the etching solution (11) any other liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head ejecting a minute amount of liquid droplet

  The “droplet” refers to the state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and includes those that have tails in the form of particles, tears, and threads. The “liquid” here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the “liquid” may be a material in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a material in a liquid state having high or low viscosity, and sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, Liquid materials such as liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts) are also included in the “liquid”. Further, “liquid” includes not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a liquid obtained by dissolving, dispersing or mixing particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based ink and oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot-melt ink.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 7 ... Pump unit 8 ... Pump drive motor 10 ... Printing apparatus 11 ... Front cover 12 ... Paper discharge port 13 ... Cover for cartridge replacement 14 ... Top cover 15 ... Operation button 16 ... Control part 20 ... Ejection head 24 ... Ink tube 30 ... Drive mechanism 32 ... Timing belt 34 ... Drive motor 40 ... Cartridge 41 ... Case member 42 ... Lid member 43, 43b ... Ink pack 44 ... Liquid channel member 50 ... Substrate 51 ... Terminal 60 ... Cartridge holder 61 ... Slot 62 ... Guide groove 63 ... Fixing lever 64 ... Top cover 65 ... Side plate 67 ... Bottom plate 69 ... Ink absorber 70 ... Ink introduction mechanism 80 ... Cap 411 ... Right case 412 ... Left case 413 ... Rail portion 415 ... Handle 416 ... Opening 417 ... Upper inclined wall 418 ... Lower inclined wall 421 ... Supply pipe hole 42 ... sensor hole 424 ... concave part 425 ... contact surface 431 ... upper end 432 ... lower end 441 ... ink filling port 442 ... ink detection chamber 443 ... ink supply pipe 470 ... main part container 471 ... upper end container 472 ... Lower end accommodating portion 473 ... Upper partition wall 474 ... Lower partition wall 475, 476 ... Slit 480 ... Ink supply member 491 ... Film member 492 ... Check valve 493 ... Spring 494 ... Pressure receiving member 495 ... Sensor lever 496 ... Contact Part 710: Board contact part 712 ... Terminal 714 ... Connector 720 ... Bar member 730 ... Ink introduction needle 740 ... Ink receiving member 741 ... Abutting part 742 ... Receptacle 743 ... Trap member 744 ... Opening 748 ... Arm part 749 ... Hook 750 ... Spring 800 ... Support member

Claims (6)

A liquid container,
A liquid containing bag with a flat end extending in the first direction;
An opening at one end, and a case member that is inserted and accommodated in the first direction from the opening.
The case member is
An end accommodating portion that extends in the first direction and accommodates at least the end of the liquid containing bag;
A main part accommodating part for accommodating a main part of the liquid containing bag;
A partition wall that divides the end portion storage portion and the main portion storage portion;
In the partition wall, a slit through which the end of the liquid containing bag can be inserted is formed along the first direction.
Liquid container. The liquid container according to claim 1,
The end portion on the one end side of the slit and the end portion on the one end side of the end portion receiving portion communicate with the opening,
An end portion on the one end side of the end portion accommodating portion is a liquid container that extends toward the opening. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
A liquid container, wherein a portion of the partition wall where the slit is formed is chamfered along the first direction. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
Wherein the length the inner periphery of the cross section perpendicular to the first direction of the liquid containing bag, and the inner circumferential length of the cross section of the main portion accommodating portion is substantially the same, the liquid container. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
A liquid container in which a liquid is injected into the liquid container bag in a state where the end portion is accommodated in the end portion accommodating portion and the main portion is accommodated in the main portion accommodating portion.   A liquid consuming apparatus, to which the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is mounted and which consumes the liquid stored in the liquid container.

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