JP6163991B2 - Liquid container and liquid container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid storage container having a liquid storage chamber capable of storing a liquid, and a liquid storage body including the liquid storage container.

  Conventionally, an ink container (liquid storage container) provided with an ink chamber (liquid storage chamber) that can store ink to be supplied to an ink jet printer (liquid consumption device) that ejects and consumes ink (liquid) An ink cartridge (liquid container) provided in a case member is known. Such a conventional ink container joins a storage chamber member (moving member) to a supply member (attached member) provided with a liquid supply port through which ink can flow out from the ink chamber. The ink chamber is formed by attaching (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-116202 A

  By the way, in the ink container having the above configuration, the accommodation chamber member is usually joined to the supply member by welding. However, it is possible that air is trapped in the welded region portion during welding. In this case, there is a possibility that the trapped air expands due to the temperature rise of the ink container, and the storage chamber member is peeled off. For this reason, there is a problem that ink leaks from the ink chamber to the outside through the portion where the storage chamber member is peeled off.

  This situation is not limited to an ink container that can store ink to be supplied to an ink jet printer, and the storage chamber member is joined to a supply member provided with a liquid supply port that can flow out from the liquid storage chamber. By doing so, the liquid storage containers having the configuration for forming the liquid storage chamber are generally common.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, The objective is to provide the liquid storage container which can suppress that joining of a storage chamber member and a supply member peels.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A liquid supply container that solves the above problem is a liquid storage container having a liquid storage chamber that can store a liquid, and the storage chamber member that constitutes the liquid storage chamber and the storage chamber member are joined together, A supply member provided with a liquid supply port for allowing the liquid to flow out from the liquid storage chamber to the outside, and formed in the supply member by the supply member and the storage chamber member joined to the supply member The space that communicates with the liquid chamber is not in communication with the atmosphere.

  According to this configuration, since the air is released from the space formed by joining the storage chamber member and the supply member, the connection between the storage chamber member and the supply member is peeled off due to the expansion of the air in the space accompanying the temperature change. Can be suppressed.

In the liquid container, the supply member is preferably provided with a communication port that allows the space to communicate with the atmosphere.
According to this configuration, when the space is formed in the supply member, the space can be easily communicated with the atmosphere by the communication port provided in the supply member.

In the liquid container, it is preferable that the communication port has a polygonal shape.
According to this configuration, since the communication port is prevented from being easily blocked by a round bar or the like, the communication port suppresses the expansion of air in the communication space due to the temperature change, and the storage chamber member and the supply member Can be prevented from peeling off.

In the liquid container, it is preferable that the supply member is provided with a step portion, and the step portion forms at least a part of an edge of the communication port.
According to this configuration, since the communication port is prevented from being blocked by a sheet or the like, air is released to the communication space at the joint between the storage chamber member and the supply member, and the communication port is connected to the communication space due to a temperature change. It is possible to suppress the expansion of the air and to prevent the bonding between the accommodation chamber member and the supply member from being peeled off.

  In the liquid container, the liquid container can be attached to a liquid consuming device that consumes the liquid. In the state where the liquid container is attached to the liquid consuming device, the stepped portion has the communication port. It is preferable to be located on the gravity direction side.

  According to this configuration, foreign matter or the like adhering to the stepped portion is located closer to the gravity direction than the communication port, so that the communication port is prevented from being blocked. As a result, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the air in the communication space accompanying the temperature change by the communication port, and to prevent the bonding between the accommodation chamber member and the supply member from being peeled off.

In the liquid container, the width along the vertical direction of the stepped portion is preferably narrower than the width along the vertical direction of the communication port.
According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the communication port from being blocked by a step due to the stepped portion with a high probability, and thus the expansion of the air in the communication space due to the temperature change is suppressed by the communication port. It can suppress that joining of a member and a supply member peels.

  In the liquid container, the liquid container can be attached to a liquid consuming device that consumes the liquid. In the state where the liquid container is attached to the consuming device, the communication port is the liquid supply port. It is preferable to be located on the antigravity direction side.

  According to this configuration, since the communication port is prevented from being blocked by the liquid leaking from the liquid supply port, expansion of the air in the communication space due to temperature change is suppressed by the communication port, and the accommodation chamber member and It can suppress that joining with a supply member peels.

  In the liquid container, the liquid container can be inserted and attached to a liquid consuming device that consumes the liquid, and the communication port is located on the supply member on the insertion direction side of the liquid consuming device. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, since the communication port is concealed in a state where it is attached to the liquid consuming apparatus, the communication port is prevented from being blocked. As a result, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the air in the communication space accompanying the temperature change by the communication port, and to prevent the bonding between the accommodation chamber member and the supply member from being peeled off.

The liquid container that solves the above problem includes the liquid container of the above configuration in the case member.
According to this configuration, the liquid container can include the liquid container in which the bonding between the storage chamber member and the supply member is suppressed from being peeled off.

  A liquid supply container that solves the above problem is a liquid storage container including a liquid storage chamber formed by a supply member in which a liquid supply port for allowing liquid to flow out is formed and a film joined to the supply member. The space formed in the supply member by the supply member and the film bonded to the supply member does not communicate with the liquid storage chamber but communicates with the atmosphere.

  According to this configuration, since air is released from the space formed by joining the film and the supply member, it is possible to suppress the separation between the film and the supply member due to the expansion of air accompanying a temperature change.

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a printer that is an example of a liquid consuming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting portion of an ink cartridge provided in the printer. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a wide ink cartridge is attached to the attachment portion. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mounting portion where an ink cartridge is mounted so as to be insertable and removable. The perspective view which looked at the mounting part from the direction different from FIG. It is a figure which shows a mounting part, (a) is the top view, (b) is the AA arrow directional cross-sectional view in (a), (c) is an enlarged view of the part shown by the arrow 6c in (b). (A), (b) is a perspective view which shows the shape of an ink cartridge. (A)-(e) is a figure which shows each surface of an ink cartridge. (A), (b) is a perspective view which shows the shape of a wide ink cartridge. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge is partially inserted into the mounting portion, in which FIG. 4A is a partial plan view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 5A is a partial bottom view showing a groove portion of an ink cartridge that engages with a movable locking portion, and FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a lever member that functions as a movable locking portion provided in the mounting portion. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a wide ink cartridge. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an ink container provided in an ink cartridge, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the ink containers viewed in an inverted state. It is the exploded view which shows the structure of an ink container, (a) And (b) is the perspective view seen from the same direction, respectively (a) and (b) in FIG. (A) is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the filter chamber in the ink container, (b) is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the decompression chamber in the ink container. It is a figure which shows the structure of a filter chamber and a decompression chamber, (a) is a side view of an ink container, (b) is CC sectional view taken on the line in (a), (c) is DD in (a). FIG. It is a figure which shows the ink flow path provided in the 1st supply member, (a) is a top view of an ink container, (b) is the EE arrow sectional drawing in (a). (A) is a perspective view which shows a 1st supply member, (b) is a cross-sectional perspective view which cut | disconnected the 1st supply member in the position which crosses a communicating port. (A) is a side view showing an ink container, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in (a). FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a first supply member supported by a case member of the ink cartridge, in which (a) is a state diagram before the first supply member is inserted into the through hole of the case member, and (b) is a view illustrating the first supply member to the through hole. The state figure in which 1 supply member was inserted, (c) is the state figure in which the 1st supply member was rotated after insertion. (A)-(c) is a figure corresponding to (a)-(c) in Drawing 21, and is a figure shown in the state where a case member of an ink cartridge was partially cut. Explanatory drawing which shows a deformation | transformation of the L-shaped part provided in the 1st supply member. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state at the start of inserting an ink cartridge into a mounting portion. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in the middle of inserting the ink cartridge into the mounting portion. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a mounting state of the ink cartridge to the mounting portion. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing the ink cartridge of the mounting portion as viewed from the insertion direction. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the lever member of the mounting portion starts to engage with the groove portion of the ink cartridge, where FIG. 2A is a side view of the mounting portion, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in (a). It is a figure which shows the state in which the ink cartridge exists in the position of the code | symbol 55B of a mounting part, (a) is a side view of a mounting part, (b) is the II sectional view taken on the line in (a), (c) is ( JJ sectional view taken on the line in a). 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a state where the ink cartridge is in a mounting position of the mounting portion, where FIG. 1A is a side view of the mounting portion, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK in FIG. LL sectional view taken on the line. In the modification, it is a figure which shows the 1st supply member which is not provided with a filter chamber and a decompression chamber, (a) And (b) is the perspective view which looked at the 1st supply member from the mutually opposite side. In the modification, (a) is a perspective view showing a first supply member in which a groove intersecting with the communication port is formed, and (b) is a perspective view of the first supply member cut along the groove. (A), (b) is a perspective view which shows the modification of the convex part which suppresses incorrect insertion of the ink cartridge to a mounting part.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ink jet printer that is an example of a liquid consuming apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. The printer of this embodiment performs printing on the paper P by ejecting or consuming ink, which is an example of liquid, on the paper P, which is an example of a target conveyed in one direction, to form an image or the like.

<Printer configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 11 of the present embodiment includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 11 a as part of which is indicated by a two-dot chain line. An operation button 11b such as a power button for driving the printer 11 is provided on the upper side of the housing 11a in the direction Z opposite to the direction of gravity. In addition, a cover 11c that can be opened and closed is provided on the front surface of the housing 11a on the transport direction Y side where the paper P is transported. The user can access the inside of the housing 11a with the cover 11c opened.

  A support base having a longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting with the transport direction Y of the paper P is disposed at a lower portion on the gravity direction side in a frame 12 having a substantially rectangular box shape housed in an internal space covered by the casing 11a. 13 extends in a substantially horizontal direction. In addition, a paper feed motor 14 a is provided at the lower part on the rear side opposite to the conveyance direction Y of the frame 12. That is, the paper P is fed from the rear side to the front side on the support base 13 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown) driven by the paper feed motor 14a.

  A guide shaft 15 is installed above the support base 13 in the frame 12 along the longitudinal direction of the support base 13. A carriage 16 is supported on the guide shaft 15 so as to be reciprocally movable in the axial direction. Specifically, a support hole 16a penetrating in the left-right direction is formed in the carriage 16, and the guide shaft 15 is inserted into the support hole 16a.

  A drive pulley 17a and a driven pulley 17b are rotatably supported near the both ends of the guide shaft 15 on the inner surface of the rear wall of the frame 12. The output shaft of the carriage motor 14b is connected to the drive pulley 17a. Further, an endless timing belt 17 partially connected to the carriage 16 is wound around the driving pulley 17a and the driven pulley 17b. When the carriage motor 14 b is driven, the carriage 16 reciprocates along the longitudinal direction, that is, the scanning direction X while being guided by the guide shaft 15 via the timing belt 17.

  A liquid ejecting head 18, which is an example of a liquid ejecting unit, is provided below the carriage 16. The ink supplied to the liquid ejecting head 18 is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 18 and an image is printed on the paper P. Ink supply to the liquid ejecting head 18 is performed by an ink cartridge 70 which is an example of a liquid container that is detachably attached to the attachment portion 20 provided in the housing 11a. That is, the mounting portion 20 on which the ink cartridge 70 is mounted on the left side in the scanning direction X when viewed from the transport direction Y ahead of the housing 11a is disposed. An ink supply tube TB that allows ink to flow is connected between the mounting portion 20 and the carriage 16. Ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 70 mounted on the mounting unit 20 to the liquid ejecting head 18 via the ink supply tube TB.

  In the present embodiment, the mounting unit 20 includes an ink container 80 that is an example of a liquid container that contains, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks having different hues. Four cartridges 70 (see FIG. 12) can be mounted. Each of the ink cartridges 70 can be inserted into and removed from the mounting portion 20 via the opened cover 11c as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  In addition, a maintenance device 19 is provided in an area on the right side in the scanning direction X when viewed from the conveyance direction Y ahead of the support base 13 inside the frame 12, that is, a home position area that is not used during printing. The maintenance device 19 includes a cap 19a having an upper opening, a suction pump (not shown), and the like. In the printer 11, after the carriage 16 is moved to the home position region, the maintenance device 19 performs a maintenance operation so that ink is stably ejected from the liquid ejecting head 18.

  Various operations performed in the printer 11 are controlled by the control unit. In the present embodiment, the control unit is configured by a circuit board on which electrical elements such as a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM are mounted. For example, the control unit is disposed in a box 12 a provided at the rear of the frame 12.

  Further, when the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 70, the control unit receives predetermined information from the storage element 36 (see FIG. 10B) which is an example of a storage device provided in the ink cartridge 70. (For example, data used to identify the type of the ink cartridge 70 or data indicating the remaining amount of ink in the ink container 80) is communicated. Specifically, this communication of information is performed by an electrical connection between the electrical connection unit provided in the mounting unit 20 and the electrical connection unit provided in the ink cartridge 70. The electrical connection portions of the mounting portion and the ink cartridge will be described later.

<Configuration of ink cartridge mounting part>
Next, the configuration of the mounting portion 20 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the mounting portion 20 of the present embodiment has four substantially rectangular parallelepiped ink cartridges 70 each having a substantially box opening in the transport direction Y side opposite to the insertion direction Yr. The cartridge-shaped cartridge holder 22 can be held so as to be aligned along the scanning direction X. The mounting unit 20 has a configuration capable of holding the ink cartridges 70 having different dimensions in the scanning direction X intersecting the insertion direction in the cartridge holder 22 for at least one of the four ink cartridges 70. .

  Specifically, in the mounting unit 20 of the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 70 that is held on the leftmost side in the scanning direction X when viewed from the front in the transport direction Y within the cartridge holder 22 among the four ink cartridges 70 An ink cartridge 70W having a width wider than that of the cartridge 70 can also be inserted and removed.

  That is, the upper member 27 is attached to the upper part located in the direction Z opposite to the direction of gravity inside the substantially box-shaped cartridge holder 22. The upper member 27 is provided with an upper guide rib 27A as a pair of guide rails provided so as to protrude downward along the insertion direction Yr of the ink cartridge 70. The upper guide ribs 27A are provided at predetermined intervals in the scanning direction X in accordance with the insertion positions in the cartridge holder 22 of the respective ink cartridges 70 to be inserted.

  The upper guide rib 27A has a side surface 27S facing the upper inner wall 70A formed on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 70. The upper inner wall 70A is a pair of inner surfaces that form a recess 70S along the insertion direction Yr. The side surface 27S functions as a guide surface for the ink cartridge 70. That is, in the ink cartridge 70 inserted into the mounting portion 20, the upper inner wall 70A facing the side surface 27S comes into contact, so that the position of the upper end side in the scanning direction X of the cartridge holder 22 is regulated and the insertion direction Yr. The movement of is guided. As shown in FIG. 4, at the end of the upper guide rib 27A opposite to the insertion direction Yr, a rib 27T protruding outward in the scanning direction X is formed with a predetermined length in the insertion direction Yr. Yes. The function of the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper guide rib 27A corresponding to the ink cartridge 70 held on the leftmost side of the cartridge holder 22 is adjacent to the upper guide rib 27A adjacent to the upper guide ribs 27A corresponding to the other three ink cartridges 70. Is provided on the upper member 27 so as to be wide. That is, in the present embodiment, the gap G1 between the upper guide rib 27A corresponding to the ink cartridge 70 held on the leftmost side when viewed from the front in the insertion direction Yr and the adjacent upper guide rib 27A is the other upper guide rib 27A. And the gap G2 between the upper guide rib 27A adjacent to the upper guide rib 27A. Therefore, by setting the gap G1 to be larger than the gap G2 as described above, a wide ink cartridge 70W can be inserted into the leftmost side of the cartridge holder 22 as shown in FIG. In other words, the gap G1 is set so as to have an interval in which the wide ink cartridge 70W can be inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a bottom member 28 is attached to the bottom of the substantially box-shaped cartridge holder 22. The bottom member 28 is provided with a lower guide rib 28 </ b> A that is a pair of guide rails having a predetermined interval in the scanning direction X and protruding upward along the insertion direction Yr of the ink cartridge 70. The lower guide rib 28 </ b> A is provided corresponding to the ink cartridge 70 inserted into the mounting portion 20. In the present embodiment, the lower guide rib 28A is provided at a position substantially opposite to the upper guide rib 27A.

  The pair of lower guide ribs 28A has a substantially U shape in which the direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr of the ink cartridge 70 is connected by a semicircular arc-shaped rib 28R. The side surface 28S of the substantially U-shaped lower guide rib 28A serves as a guide surface that opposes the lower inner wall 70B (see FIGS. 7B and 9B) provided on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 70. Function. The lower inner wall 70B is an inner side surface of the pair of lower convex portions 70D formed on both sides in the scanning direction X. That is, in the ink cartridge 70, the movement of the cartridge holder 22 in the scanning direction X is restricted while the lower inner wall 70B of the lower convex portion 70D is in contact with the side surface 28S of the lower guide rib 28A, and the insertion direction Yr Travel to is guided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6C, a pair of ribs 28T extending in a predetermined length in the insertion direction Yr and projecting outside in the scanning direction X are formed at positions adjacent to the arc-shaped ribs 28R. Has been. Further, a rail 28 </ b> C along the insertion direction Yr is formed adjacent to the outer side of the lower guide rib 28 </ b> A in the scanning direction X so as to protrude in the Z direction from the bottom surface of the bottom member 28. The functions of the rib 28T and the rail 28C of the lower guide rib 28A will be described later.

  5 and 6B, the lower guide rib 28A corresponding to the ink cartridge 70 held on the leftmost side of the cartridge holder 22 is the lower guide rib 28A corresponding to the other three ink cartridges 70. Instead, the bottom member 28 is provided so that the interval between the adjacent lower guide ribs 28A is wider. That is, in the present embodiment, the gap H1 between the lower guide rib 28A corresponding to the ink cartridge 70 held on the leftmost side and the adjacent lower guide rib 28A is different from the adjacent lower guide rib 28A in the other three lower guide ribs 28A. Is set larger than the gap H2. Accordingly, by setting the gap H1 to be larger than the gap H2 in this way, as shown in FIG. 3, the wide ink at the insertion position of the ink cartridge 70 held at the leftmost side in the cartridge holder 22 is obtained. The cartridge 70W can be inserted. In other words, the gap H1 is set so as to have an interval in which the wide ink cartridge 70W can be inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the wide ink cartridge 70W is inserted in the leftmost position with respect to the cartridge holder 22 and the three ink cartridges 70 are inserted in other positions, Both the ink cartridge 70 and the wide ink cartridge 70W are inserted while the movement in the scanning direction X is restricted. In other words, at the end of the opening side of the cartridge holder 22 that is opposite to the insertion direction Yr side of the ink cartridge 70, the insertion guide portions 27C that protrude downward from the upper member 27 allow the respective ink cartridges 70 and the width thereof to be reduced. The wide ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is substantially restricted from moving in the scanning direction X.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, when the ink cartridge 70 is inserted into the cartridge holder 22 in place of the wide ink cartridge 70W, the width of the ink cartridge 70 in the scanning direction X is the ink cartridge 70W. Narrower than. Therefore, it is difficult to restrict the movement of the ink cartridge 70 in the scanning direction X by the insertion guide portion 27C. Therefore, in the present embodiment, guide portions 27 </ b> B as a pair of guide protrusions for guiding the ink cartridge 70 into the cartridge holding body 22 are provided. The guide portion 27B is formed so as to engage with the upper portion of the ink cartridge 70 on the insertion direction Yr side, and the upper guide rib 27A is positioned in the recess 70S.

  That is, the guide portion 27B is an upper member 27 as a rib that protrudes downward at both ends in the intersecting direction intersecting the insertion direction Yr of the ink cartridge 70 with respect to the upper guide rib 27A at the opening end of the cartridge holder 22. Is formed. The guide portion 27B is provided such that the interval in the scanning direction X becomes narrower in the insertion direction Yr. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, in the wide ink cartridge 70W, grooves 70H into which the guide portions 27B can be inserted when inserted into the cartridge holder 22 are formed on both sides of the recess 70S.

<Ink cartridge configuration>
Next, the configuration of the ink cartridge 70 and the ink cartridge 70W will be described in detail. Here, the configuration of the ink cartridge 70 will be described first, and then the wide ink cartridge 70W will be described. Only the difference in configuration of the ink cartridge 70W from the ink cartridge 70 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7A and 7B, the ink cartridge 70 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape including six surfaces. That is, it has the 1st surface CS1 used as the insertion direction side to the mounting part 20, and the 2nd surface CS2 facing the said 1st surface CS1. Further, the third surface CS3 intersects with the first surface CS1 and the second surface CS2, and becomes the gravity direction side when mounted on the mounting portion 20, the fourth surface CS4 facing the third surface, It has 5th surface CS5 extended in the direction which cross | intersects 1st surface, 2nd surface, and 3rd surface, and 6th surface CS6 facing the said 5th surface CS5. In the present embodiment, the left surface in the scanning direction X when viewed from the second surface CS2 side is the fifth surface CS5, and the right surface in the scanning direction X is the sixth surface CS6.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 8B, the fourth surface CS4 of the ink cartridge 70 is provided with a pair of upper convex portions 70E having the upper inner wall 70A as a pair of side surfaces. The upper convex portion 70E is linearly provided along the insertion direction Yr on the fifth surface CS5 side and the sixth surface CS6 side. In the present embodiment, the outer surface of the upper convex portion 70E is a part of the fifth surface CS5 and the sixth surface CS6, respectively. Each upper convex portion 70E is formed with an upper convex wall portion 70ET projecting inward at a position facing each other on the upper inner wall 70A with a predetermined length in the insertion direction Yr. The function of the upward convex wall portion 70ET will be described later.

  Then, as shown by the shaded area in FIG. 8B, the printer 11 (mounting part 20) and the extension area R4 in the insertion direction Yr of the area sandwiched between the two upper convex wall portions 70ET facing each other A circuit board 30 provided with a first terminal 35 as an electrical connection part for electrical connection between them is attached. Further, the circuit board 30 is attached in a posture in which the downstream side in the insertion direction Yr is closer to the third surface CS3 than the upstream side, and is inclined with respect to the insertion direction Yr.

  As shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 8D, the above-described pair of lower convex portions 70D are provided on the third surface CS3, which is the bottom surface when mounted on the mounting portion 20, respectively, on the fifth surface CS5. And the sixth surface CS6 side are linearly provided along the insertion direction Yr. In the present embodiment, the inner surface of the lower convex portion 70D is the lower inner wall 70B along the insertion direction Yr, and the outer surfaces of the lower convex portion 70D are one of the fifth surface CS5 and the sixth surface CS6, respectively. Part. Each lower inner wall 70B is formed with a lower convex wall portion 70DT projecting inward at a position facing each other with a predetermined length in the insertion direction Yr. The function of the lower convex wall portion 70DT will be described later.

  Then, as shown by the shaded area in FIG. 8D, the printer 11 (mounting part 20) is located in the extension area R3 in the insertion direction Yr of the area sandwiched between the two opposing lower convex wall sections 70DT. A groove portion 70G that can be engaged with the movable locking portion provided is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, the third surface CS3 includes a part of each of the lower convex portions 70D provided on the fifth surface CS5 side and the sixth surface CS6 side. Is further provided with a protrusion 70P that protrudes from the third surface CS3 in the direction of gravity. In the present embodiment, a total of four protrusions 70P are formed on the bottom surface by providing two protrusions 70P with an interval in the insertion direction Yr. In other words, the convex portion 70C is configured by the lower convex portion 70D as a pair of linear convex portions along the insertion direction Yr and the protruding portion 70P provided on the lower convex portion 70D. As will be described later, the convex portion 70 </ b> C contacts the mounting portion 20 by sliding on a rail 28 </ b> C provided on the bottom member 28.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of rectangular grooves 70M are formed in the lower convex portion 70D. This is formed for the purpose of preventing the formation of a dent due to the shrinkage of the synthetic resin, which is the material of the ink cartridge 70, after the ink cartridge 70 is molded. The projecting portion 70P is provided at the innermost portion in the width direction of the lower convex portion 70D where the rectangular groove 70M is formed. In addition, in the state where the ink cartridge 70 is mounted on the mounting unit 20, the protrusion 70 </ b> P is inserted into the mounting unit 20 by the first terminal 35 provided on the circuit board 30 mounted on the fourth surface CS <b> 4. It is formed so as to be positioned between the protrusions 70P (convex portions 70C) provided on the fifth surface CS5 side and the sixth surface CS6 side as viewed from Yr. Further, the protrusion 70P (projection 70C) passes through the center of the third surface CS3 in the direction from the fifth surface CS5 to the sixth surface CS6 and is fifth than the virtual surface parallel to the fifth surface CS5. It is formed on the surface CS5 side and the sixth surface CS6 side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7B, 8D, and 8E, when the ink cartridge 70 of the present embodiment is viewed from the insertion direction Yr into the mounting portion 20, it is provided on the third surface CS3. A connecting rib 70R that connects the two lower convex portions 70D (second convex portions) located between the convex portions 70C (first convex portions) is provided. The connecting rib 70R is provided on the second surface CS2 side in the direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr in the third surface CS3. In the present embodiment, the connecting rib 70R is formed so that the height from the third surface CS3 protrudes at the same height as the lower convex portion 70D, and constitutes a part of the second surface CS2. It is provided to do.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8D, an example of a liquid storage chamber provided in the ink cartridge 70 is provided on the first surface CS1 of the ink cartridge 70. A liquid supply port 81K through which ink can flow out from the ink chamber IS (see FIG. 12) is provided in a region R1 intersecting the extension region R3 and the extension region R4. That is, as indicated by the shaded area in FIG. 8A, the area R1 on the first surface CS1 is an area that connects the extension area R3 and the extension area R4. The liquid supply port 81K is provided in the region R1 and at a position closer to the third surface CS3 than to the fourth surface CS4. In the present embodiment, the liquid supply port 81K is substantially in the center of the region R1 in the direction from the third surface CS3 to the fourth surface CS4 and in the direction from the fifth surface CS5 to the sixth surface CS6. Provided at approximately the center.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 (e), the second surface CS2 on the side opposite to the insertion direction Yr side to the mounting portion 20 shows the attachment position of the label 74 for identifying the ink cartridge 70. Position marks 72a and 72b are formed. The position marks 72a and 72b are formed in a convex shape or a concave shape with respect to the surface of the second surface CS2, and the user can easily label the position marks 72a and 72b at appropriate positions on the second surface CS2 with the position marks 72a and 72b as marks. 74 can be pasted.

  Although not shown, the label 74 affixed to the second surface CS2 has a mark MK indicating the user's push-in position when the ink cartridge 70 is inserted into the mounting portion 20, such as a character “push”, for example. Can be written. The mark MK is opposed to the liquid supply port 81K provided on the first surface CS1, as indicated by a circular broken line in FIG. 8E, on the label 74 attached to the second surface CS2. It is preferred to be noted in the position.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9A and 9B, the wide ink cartridge 70 </ b> W has a liquid supply port 81 </ b> K, a groove 70 </ b> G, the circuit board 30, and the label 74 with respect to the ink cartridge 70. Are the same shape, and the case member 73 is widened in the width direction (main scanning direction X). Accordingly, the fifth surface CS5 and the sixth surface CS6 have the same shape as the ink cartridge 70, and the shapes of the first surface CS1, the second surface CS2, the third surface CS3, and the fourth surface CS4 are the same as those of the ink cartridge 70. Is different.

  In the present embodiment, the first surface CS1 provided with the liquid supply port 81K and the second surface CS2 to which the label 74 is attached have a shape in which the case member 73 is extended to an equal length on both sides in the width direction. ing. The third surface CS3 has a shape in which the width of the lower convex portion 70D is increased. In the expanded lower convex portion 70 </ b> D, the protrusion 70 </ b> P is provided at the innermost portion in the width direction and is at the same position as the ink cartridge 70.

  The fourth surface CS4 is different from the third surface CS3, and each of the pair of upper convex portions 70E includes an inner convex portion 70Ea and an outer convex portion 70Eb. The upward convex wall portion 70ET is provided on the inner convex portion 70Ea located on the inner side in the width direction than the outer convex portion 70Eb. The gap between the inner convex portion 70Ea and the outer convex portion 70Eb is a groove 70H as a concave portion along the insertion direction Yr. The groove 70 </ b> H is provided as a groove into which the guide portion 27 </ b> B as a guide protrusion can be inserted when the cartridge 70 is inserted into the cartridge holder 22. The inner convex portion 70Ea can be inserted between the upper guide rib 27A and the guide portion 27B, and the upper inner wall 70A is guided by the upper guide rib 27A. Thus, in the present embodiment, in the ink cartridge 70W, the upper convex portion 70E and the groove 70H are provided on the fourth surface CS4 that is one side surface.

<< Mechanical configuration related to mounting of ink cartridge in mounting section >>
The mounting unit 20 of the present embodiment includes a terminal connection mechanism that electrically connects to the storage element 36 provided in the ink cartridge 70 (70W) inserted into the mounting unit 20 and transmits predetermined information, A flow path connection mechanism is provided that allows ink to flow out from the liquid supply port 81K of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) inserted into the mounting portion 20. Further, a holding mechanism that holds the inserted ink cartridge 70 (70W) so as not to come out of the cartridge holding body 22 is provided. Next, the terminal connection mechanism, the flow path connection mechanism, and the holding mechanism will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example the case where the ink cartridge 70 is mounted. Of course, the same applies to the case where the ink cartridge 70W is mounted.

First, the configuration of the terminal connection mechanism will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10A and 10B, a wall member 26 extending in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction Yr is provided inside the substantially box-shaped cartridge holder 22 on the side opposite to the opening side. It is formed as one member constituting the inner wall of the cartridge holder 22. The wall member 26 is provided with a second terminal 34 as an electrical connection portion on the mounting portion 20 side. A first terminal 35 as an electrical connection portion provided in the ink cartridge 70 is brought into contact with and electrically connected to the second terminal 34. Information sent from the wiring board 33 such as a flexible board via the second terminal 34 by the electrical connection between the first terminal 35 and the second terminal 34 is provided in the ink cartridge 70. The data is transmitted to and stored in the storage element 36 as a storage device via the first terminal 35.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a movable member 31 that is slidable along the insertion direction Yr is provided on the wall member 26 of the cartridge holder 22. That is, a pair of slide guide portions 26A having guide holes (not shown) provided along the insertion direction Yr are formed in the wall member 26 corresponding to the ink cartridges 70. The movable member 31 is provided with a pair of slide portions 32 partially formed with slide portions (not shown) that slide in the guide holes. Therefore, the slide mechanism is configured by moving the slide portion 32 along the slide guide portion 26A (guide hole), and the movable member 31 moves along the insertion direction Yr. The movable member 31 is restricted from moving toward the insertion direction Yr when the rear end portion of the slide portion 32 comes into contact with the slide guide portion 26A.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7A, 10A, and 10B, the ink cartridge 70 has an inclined surface 71K that is inclined so as to intersect the insertion direction Yr. Is formed at the end of the fourth surface CS4 on the side of the insertion direction Yr to the cartridge holder 22. A first terminal 35 is provided on the inclined surface 71K. In addition, on the front side of the movable member 31 (the direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr), a facing portion 31K that faces the first terminal 35 when the ink cartridge 70 is inserted into the cartridge holder 22 is formed. Further, a second terminal 34 is provided in the facing portion 31K. The movable member 31 is provided at a position where the second terminal 34 can come into contact with the first terminal 35 when the wall member 26 slides along the insertion direction Yr.

  In the present embodiment, the first terminal 35 as the electrical connection portion is a circuit board 30 whose board surface is disposed along the inclined surface 71K of the ink cartridge 70, and more specifically, the board. It is the metal pattern formed in the surface. The memory of the IC chip provided on the circuit board 30 functions as the storage element 36. The second terminal 34 is a metal plate attached in a cantilevered state at the opposing portion 31K of the movable member 31, and the first metal plate is in contact with the first terminal 35 in a reliable manner. The connection portion (contact portion) with the terminal 35 can be slightly displaced.

  In addition, the circuit board 30 provided on the inclined surface 71K inclined with respect to the insertion direction Yr has a larger substrate surface area along the inclined surface 71K than the projected area in the insertion direction Yr. Therefore, it is possible to form a plurality of metal patterns on the substrate surface of the circuit board 30.

  The movable member 31 of this embodiment is biased in a direction in which the facing portion 31K approaches the first terminal 35 of the ink cartridge 70 (here, the direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr). That is, the wall member 26 includes a second urging member 38 that urges the movable member 31 in the forward direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr, that is, in the direction in which the facing portion 31K approaches the first terminal 35. . In the present embodiment, a compression coil spring is used as the second urging member 38, and the movable member 31 is urged by the second urging member 38 in a state where movement in the forward direction is restricted. It is supposed to be in a state.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6A and 6B, the wiring board 33 is controlled by the printer 11 via a relay device 39 attached to one side surface of the cartridge holder 22. Predetermined information is exchanged with the department. The terminal connection mechanism is configured in this way.

Next, the configuration of the flow path connection mechanism will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the supply needle 29 provided on the wall member 26 is inserted into the liquid supply port 81 </ b> K provided on the ink cartridge 70, so that the ink stored in the ink chamber IS in the ink cartridge 70 is obtained. It flows into the supply needle 29. The ink that has flowed into the supply needle 29 is supplied to the liquid ejecting head 18 by a liquid supply mechanism (not shown) through a flow path (not shown) formed in the wall member 26.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10 (b), a movable body 41 that is disposed so as to surround the supply needle 29 and is movable along the insertion direction Yr, and the movable body 41 in the insertion direction. The mounting portion 20 includes a first urging member 48 as a first surface urging member that urges in the direction opposite to Yr. In the present embodiment, the first biasing member 48 is a compression coil spring, and is disposed on the wall member 26 so that the supply needle 29 is positioned inside the coil-shaped portion.

  Accordingly, when the movable body 41 comes into contact with the inserted ink cartridge 70, the first urging member 48 functions as a first surface urging member that urges the first surface CS 1 of the ink cartridge 70. And the part centering on the liquid supply port 81K in the 1st surface CS1 with which the mobile body 41 contact | abuts functions as a 1st surface urging | biasing part. In the present embodiment, the liquid supply port 81K is provided on the first surface CS1 at a position closer to the third surface CS3 than to the fourth surface CS4. Therefore, the first surface biased portion is similarly positioned closer to the third surface CS3 than the fourth surface CS4 in the first surface CS1.

  In the present embodiment, the moving body 41 is formed with three protrusions 42 provided along the insertion direction Yr, and each protrusion 42 extends along the three grooves 26B provided on the wall member 26. The moving body 41 moves along the insertion direction Yr. Further, the moving body 41 is restricted from moving in the insertion direction Yr side when the rear end portion 42A of each protrusion 42 abuts against the wall member 26. The flow path connection mechanism is configured in this way.

Next, the configuration of the holding mechanism will be described.
In the mounting portion 20 of the present embodiment, after the ink cartridge 70 inserted into the cartridge holding body 22 comes into contact with the moving body 41, the first biasing member accompanies the movement of the ink cartridge 70 in the insertion direction Yr. Since 48 is compressed, an urging force is generated in a direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr. The generated urging force acts as a force for pushing back the ink cartridge 70 via the moving body 41. Therefore, it is difficult to hold the ink cartridge 70 in a state where the ink cartridge 70 is pushed into the cartridge holder 22 against the urging force of the first urging member 48. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a holding mechanism that holds the ink cartridge 70 pushed into the cartridge holding body 22 so as not to come out is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 10B and FIGS. 11A and 11B, the holding mechanism includes a groove portion 70G provided on the third surface CS3 (bottom surface) of the ink cartridge 70 and the cartridge holder 22 (bottom member). 28) and a lever member 52 as a movable locking portion rotatably supported by the shaft. That is, the groove portion 70G of the ink cartridge 70 has a cam shape, and the ink cartridge 70 is locked and held by the mounting portion 20 by engaging the cam portion of the groove portion 70G with the lever member 52. The

  The lever member 52 rotates around a shaft portion 52J having an axis perpendicular to the inner bottom surface of the cartridge holding body 22 formed on the base end side thereof, and is a pin formed on the upper end side opposite to the base end side. 55 swings. The lever member 52 is always centered about the shaft portion 52J by the tension F1 of the spring 54 installed between the hook portion 53 formed on the lever member 52 and the hook portion 23 provided on the cartridge holder 22. It is urged to swing in the direction D1 (here, counterclockwise as viewed from below). As a result, the pin 55 formed on the lever member 52 is always urged so as to swing in one direction D1. Note that the rotation of the lever member 52 in one direction D1 is restricted by the restricting portion 24 provided in the cartridge holder 22.

  In the holding mechanism configured as described above, the pin 55 has a cam-shaped groove portion as the ink cartridge 70 is inserted into the cartridge holding body 22 as indicated by a broken-line circle in FIG. 70G is moved in the order of the determined route. In other words, the groove portion 70G of the ink cartridge 70 functions as a cam, and the pin 55 of the lever member 52 functions as a cam follower.

  That is, when the ink cartridge 70 is pushed into the cartridge holder 22 against the urging force of the first urging member 48, the pin 55 of the ink cartridge 70 is moved from the initial position indicated by reference numeral 55A in FIG. In FIG. 2, the movement is as indicated by the solid line arrow, and the state is moved to the position indicated by reference numeral 55B. When the push-in is released in this state, the ink cartridge 70 is pushed back slightly by the first biasing member 48, and the pin 55 moves along the cam shape of the groove portion 70G by swinging in one direction D1. , Move to the position indicated by reference numeral 55C. This position is a restriction position in which the movement of the pin 55 is restricted in the groove portion 70G, and the ink cartridge 70 is inserted in the insertion direction by the urging force of the first urging member 48 as the pin 55 moves to this restriction position. It is held in a restricted state in which movement in the sampling direction (here, the conveyance direction Y) opposite to Yr is restricted. That is, when the pin 55 is positioned at the restriction position, the groove portion 70G is locked by the pin 55 of the lever member 52, and the ink cartridge 70 is in a holding state in which movement in the extraction direction from the mounting portion 20 is restricted. The

  In this embodiment, the holding state of the ink cartridge 70 is the mounting state of the ink cartridge 70 to the mounting portion 20, and in this mounting state, the lever member 52 has a biasing force by which the pin 55 pushes up the ink cartridge 70 in the groove portion 70G. Is generated. That is, the lever member 52 is configured to abut against the groove portion 70G in a pressed state so that the lever member 52 can reliably move along the cam shape of the groove portion 70G. Therefore, the lever member 52 functions as a movable locking portion and also functions as a third surface urging member that urges the third surface. The groove portion 70G functions as a third surface biased portion biased by the lever member 52.

  Thereafter, when the ink cartridge 70 in the mounted state is pushed into the cartridge holder 22 in the insertion direction Yr again against the biasing force of the first biasing member 48, the pin 55 in the groove 70G moves. And the movement from the restricted position to the position indicated by reference numeral 55D in FIG. 6 (a). When the pushing of the ink cartridge 70 is released during the movement to the position indicated by reference numeral 55, the ink cartridge 70 is pushed back in the extraction direction (the direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr) by the first biasing member 48, and the pin 55 moves from the position indicated by reference numeral 55D to the position indicated by reference numeral 55E. Further, as the ink cartridge 70 is moved in the extraction direction by the urging force of the first urging member 48, the pin 55 is pushed down along the inclined surface portion 70L formed as a cam shape. The part 70L is moved, and as indicated by a broken line arrow in FIG. 6A, the position returns from the position indicated by reference numeral 55E to the initial position indicated by reference numeral 55A. As described above, in the holding mechanism, as the ink cartridge 70 is pushed in, the pin 55 repeatedly moves between the initial position and the restriction position. The holding mechanism is configured in this way.

<Ink cartridge component configuration>
Next, the configuration of the ink cartridge 70 and the wide ink cartridge 70W will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the ink cartridge 70 is contained in a case member 73 in which two members of a first case member 71 on the insertion direction Yr side and a second case member 72 on the opposite side to the insertion direction Yr are combined. In addition, an ink container 80 as a liquid container is accommodated. The first case member 71 has an inclined surface 71K to which the circuit board 30 can be attached at the end on the insertion direction Yr side on the upper surface side that is the Z side, which is the direction opposite to the gravitational direction, when mounted on the mounting portion 20. The groove part 70G is provided in the lower surface side. The first supply member 81, which is a supply member provided with the liquid supply port 81 </ b> K, is assembled and supported by the first case member 71, so that the liquid supply port 81 </ b> K is provided in the first case member 71. The first case member 71 is provided on the surface in the insertion direction Yr side, that is, the first surface CS1 through the through hole 75H (see FIGS. 21A and 22A) of the through hole forming portion 75. A label 74 is attached to the second case member 72 on the surface opposite to the insertion direction Yr, that is, the second surface CS2 facing the first surface CS1. The second case member 72 is slid and moved in the insertion direction Yr with respect to the first case member 71 on which the ink container 80 is supported, whereby the ink cartridge 70 is completed.

  The ink container 80 is formed in a so-called ink pack state in which the opening side of a bag-shaped pack body 91 that is an example of a storage chamber member is joined to the first supply member 81, and the inside thereof is a liquid that can store ink. The ink chamber IS is an example of a storage chamber. In this embodiment, the pack body 91 is formed of a film which is an example of a flexible member, and two rectangular thin plate-shaped pack members 92 extending in a direction crossing the scanning direction X are formed on the four sides of the outer periphery. Three sides are welded to form a bag first. Then, in a state where the first supply member 81 is inserted into the opening side of the formed bag, one side of the opening side is welded together with the first supply member 81, so that the pack body 91 becomes the first supply member 81. The inside of the pack body 91 is used as an ink chamber IS. Therefore, the flexible pack body 91 is deformed so that the gap between the two pack members 92 facing each other in the scanning direction X is reduced as the volume of the ink chamber IS is reduced due to the outflow of ink.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the wide ink cartridge 70 </ b> W includes a first case member 71 on the insertion direction Yr side and a second case member 72 on the opposite direction side to the insertion direction Yr, like the ink cartridge 70. An ink container 80 as a liquid container is accommodated in a case member 73 in which two members are combined. The first case member 71 and the second case member 72 of the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W have the same configuration except that the first case member 71 and the second case member 72 of the ink cartridge 70 have different widths. In the configuration of the ink container 80 corresponding to the increased width, the shape of the pack body 91 is different from that of the ink cartridge 70.

  That is, the pack body 91 forming the ink container 80 of the ink cartridge 70W has a cylindrical shape in which the pack member 92 penetrates in the insertion direction Yr having a gusset portion 92a folded in the vertical direction intersecting the insertion direction Yr. . Then, after the cylindrical pack member 92 is welded on the side opposite to the insertion direction Yr side and formed into a bag shape, the remaining opening side on the insertion direction Yr side is joined to the first supply member 81 by welding. . Accordingly, in the pack body 91 of the ink cartridge 70W, the gusset portion 92a extends to form the ink chamber IS having a relatively large volume when the ink is stored in the ink chamber IS. Further, since the gusset portion 92a is returned to the folded state as the volume of the ink chamber IS is reduced due to the outflow of ink, the gap between the pack members 92 of the pack bodies 91 facing each other in the scanning direction X is reduced. Transforms into

<Ink container component configuration>
Next, the member configuration of the ink container 80 will be described. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 70 and the ink cartridge 70W differ only in the pack body 91, and the other member configurations are the same.

  As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the ink container 80 is formed by a first supply member 81 in which a liquid supply port 81 </ b> K is formed and a pack body 91 joined to the first supply member 81. A filter chamber 60F and a decompression chamber 60D are provided in an ink chamber IS, which is an ink storage space. In the present embodiment, the filter chamber 60 </ b> F and the decompression chamber 60 </ b> D are formed on the second supply member 61 configured to be connectable to the first supply member 81, and from the direction that is the scanning direction X when mounted on the mounting unit 20. They are arranged at positions that overlap each other, that is, positions that are in a relationship of front and back.

  The second supply member 61 is provided with an injection port 62 for injecting ink into the ink chamber IS and an annular rib 62 a surrounding the injection port 62. After the ink injection, the pack body 91 (pack member 92) is joined (welded) to the annular rib 62a so that the injection port 62 is sealed so that the communication with the ink chamber IS is blocked.

Next, the first supply member 81 and the second supply member 61 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings to be referred to, the pack body 91 is omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the first supply member 81 has a connecting portion 82a having a columnar shape with an elliptical section, and the second supply member 61 is a hole with an elliptical section. It has a certain connected part 63. After the valve body 93 (check valve) is inserted into the connected portion 63, the connection portion 82 a is inserted, whereby the first supply member 81 and the second supply member 61 are connected. In the present embodiment, the first supply member 81 and the second supply member 61 are detachably connected between the connection portion 82a and the connected portion 63.

  The portion of the first supply member 81 where the connecting portion 82a is formed has a boat shape that is long in one direction and has a boat tip shape formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the insertion direction Yr. The side surface of the boat shape is a joint surface 82S to which the pack body 91 is joined by welding or the like. Therefore, the boat-shaped portion is a joint 82 with the pack body 91. The longitudinal direction of the joining portion 82 is a direction along the vertical direction when the attachment portion 20 is attached.

  The first supply member 81 has an insertion direction Yr on the side of the insertion direction Yr of the joint portion 82 to the mounting portion 20, and the insertion direction Yr is the plate thickness direction, and the longitudinal direction is the same as the longitudinal direction of the joint portion 82. A substantially rectangular plate-shaped main body 81A is formed. In the present embodiment, the main body 81A is formed asymmetric when viewed from the insertion direction Yr. Specifically, one end in the longitudinal direction is rectangular, while the other end is formed with a substantially L-shaped portion 81F.

  The main body 81A of the first supply member 81 is provided with a cylindrical flow path portion 85 having a liquid supply port 81K formed at the tip thereof. The cylindrical flow path portion 85 is provided so as to protrude toward the insertion direction Yr, which is the thickness direction of the main body 81A, at a position near the other end where the L-shaped portion 81F is formed. The cylindrical flow path portion 85 can be engaged with the first case member 71 when being fixed to the first case member 71, and when engaged, the cylindrical flow passage portion 85 moves in a direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr. A restricted engaged portion 86 is provided. The engaged portions 86 are formed on both sides of the cylindrical flow path portion 85 in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the main body 81A. The engaged portion 86 includes a first engaged portion 86A having a plate surface substantially parallel to the main body 81A and protruding from the front end of the first engaged portion 86A toward the insertion direction Yr. The second engaged portion 86B is provided so as to be substantially perpendicular to the first engaged portion 86A. The first engaged portion 86A is provided with a column 86P that slightly protrudes so as to form a column side surface on the upper surface of the main body on the main body 81A side.

  In addition, a supply port spring 87, a supply port spring seat 88, and a supply port seal rubber 89 are inserted into the cylindrical flow path portion 85 sequentially from the liquid supply port 81K formed at the tip, and finally, the supply port film 94. Is joined to the tip of the cylindrical flow path portion 85 by welding or the like. The liquid supply port 81K is sealed by the bonding of the supply port film 94. Although not shown here, when the supply needle 29 is inserted into the liquid supply port 81K formed at the tip of the cylindrical flow path portion 85, the seal of the supply port film 94 is broken. The supply port spring seat 88 that is in contact with the supply port seal rubber 89 and blocks the ink flow path is pushed away from the supply port seal rubber 89. As a result, a gap in which ink can flow is formed at the liquid supply port 81K, and ink flows into the supply needle 29 from the formed gap.

  On the other hand, the second supply member 61 connected to the joint portion 82 of the first supply member 81 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose outer shape is long in the insertion direction Yr. The shape of the connection side with the first supply member 81 is the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the boat-shaped shape of the joint portion 82, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are semicircular or semi-elliptical oval. Yes. The oval shape on the connection side of the second supply member 61 is a shape that fits within the boat shape of the joint portion 82 when viewed from the insertion direction Yr.

  As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the second supply member 61 has one of the two planes having the largest area located opposite to both sides in the scanning direction X in the rectangular parallelepiped shape. A filter chamber 60F is formed on the plane FS side, and a decompression chamber 60D is formed on the other second plane DS side. In the present embodiment, at least part of the second supply member 61 is a common member that forms the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D.

  The filter chamber 60F is configured as shown in FIG. In other words, the second supply member 61 has a first recessed region 64 having a substantially parallelogram-shaped first opening 65 having a long insertion direction Yr and a short direction intersecting the insertion direction Yr on the first plane FS side. Is provided. And the inclined surface 64a which inclines toward the to-be-connected part 63 side to which the connection part 82a is connected is provided in the bottom face of this 1st recessed part area | region 64. As shown in FIG. The inclined surface 64a is inclined so that the bottom surface of the connected portion 63 is located on the X direction side with respect to the bottom surface on the first opening 65 side. Furthermore, the filter 66 that can transmit ink and suppress the transmission of foreign matter has an outer shape of a substantially parallelogram having the insertion direction Yr as a long side. The filter chamber 60F is formed by affixing the filter 66 to the second supply member 61 so as to close the first opening 65 of the first recessed region 64. That is, the first recessed area 64 functions as a liquid inflow area in which the first opening 65 can pass through the filter 66 and the ink can flow, so that the filter chamber 60F is formed on the first plane FS side of the second supply member 61. Configure.

  In the present embodiment, a rib 64b is provided along the insertion direction Yr in the first recessed area 64 serving as the filter chamber 60F. The rib 64b functions as an abutting portion that abuts the filter 66 when the filter 66 is deformed toward the inside of the filter chamber 60F, so that the deformation of the filter 66 can be suppressed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the filter 66 is formed by cutting a sheet woven with a fiber material, and the outer shape of the filter 66 is a parallelogram so that the woven fiber material cannot be unraveled. Is devised so that the cut surface is slanted.

  The decompression chamber 60D is configured as shown in FIG. That is, on the second plane DS side of the second supply member 61, a second recessed region 67 having a substantially rectangular second opening 68 having a long insertion direction Yr and a short direction intersecting the insertion direction Yr is provided. The second recessed area 67 is provided with an inclined surface 67a at a position substantially overlapping with the inclined surface 64a of the first recessed area 64 when viewed in the scanning direction X. The inclined surface 67a is inclined so that the bottom surface on the side opposite to the insertion direction Yr is farther from the second opening 68 than the bottom surface on the connected portion 63 side.

  In the present embodiment, the second recessed area 67 is formed so that the projection area with the scanning direction X as the projection direction is maximized. The first recessed area 64 that functions as the filter chamber 60 </ b> F is formed so as to be located in the second recessed area 67 when viewed from the projection direction, that is, the scanning direction X.

  The film 69 is attached to the second supply member 61 so as to close the second opening 68 in a reduced-pressure atmosphere, whereby the second recessed region 67 is a reduced-pressure space having a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure and sealed. It is a space. The film 69 is a film having a property that gas dissolved in ink and bubbles generated in the ink can pass through. As a result, the second recessed area 67 forms the decompression chamber 60 </ b> D inside the second supply member 61 and on the second plane DS side of the second supply member 61. In addition, the 2nd recessed part area | region 67 should just be the decompression space which has a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, and does not necessarily need to be a sealed space.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the second supply member 61 is provided with a plurality of convex portions 61A, 61B, and 61C. In the present embodiment, the convex portions 61A and 61B are formed so as to sandwich the filter 66 at both ends in the short direction (vertical direction Z) of the second supply member 61 intersecting the insertion direction Yr. The shape is a convex portion extending along the short direction of the second supply member 61. When this convex part is seen from the insertion direction Yr, it has a semicircular or semi-elliptical shape. That is, the protrusions 61A and 61B have a plurality of portions in the second supply member 61 that have substantially the same shape as the semicircle or semi-ellipse in the oval shape on the connection side with the first supply member 81 along the insertion direction Yr. It is formed to extend side by side. And while a clearance gap is formed between the convex parts in each of convex part 61A, 61B, 61C, the clearance gap between each convex part is the filter chamber from the film 69 of 60 V of decompression chambers about convex part 61A, 61B. It is provided as a groove 61M that reaches the 60F filter 66.

  Therefore, when the pack member 92 is deformed so that the gap between the pack members 92 of the pack body 91 facing in the scanning direction X is reduced and the pack member 92 contacts the convex portions 61A, 61B, 61C, for example, the convex portions 61A, 61B The grooves 61M provided between the convex portions in each are formed as gaps through which ink can pass. Therefore, the ink in the ink chamber IS can flow into the filter 66 through the groove 61M.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 17B, 17C, and 18B, the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D are provided on the first plane FS side and the second plane DS side on both sides of the second supply member 61, respectively. The filter chamber 60F is disposed so as to be surrounded by the decompression chamber 60D. That is, the filter chamber 60F overlaps the decompression chamber 60D in the scanning direction X, and is provided at a position sandwiched by the decompression chamber 60D on both sides in the vertical direction. Thus, the 2nd supply member 61 is set as the structure which can form decompression chamber 60D in the position which can reduce the ratio of the gas dissolved in the ink in the filter chamber 60F.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 17A, 17B, 17C, the filter chamber 60F has a bottom surface of the connected portion 63 that is more X than the bottom surface on the first opening 65 side. An inclined surface 64a that is inclined so as to be located on the direction side is formed. An ink outlet 64H through which ink flows out is provided on the first supply member 81 side of the first recessed area 64. Accordingly, an ink flow path that flows toward the first supply member 81 is formed in the filter chamber 60F. The flow path cross-sectional area at the first position on the downstream side near the first supply member 81 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area at the second position on the upstream side farther from the first supply member 81 than the first position. Also grows. By such a flow path, the ink that has flowed into the filter chamber 60F can flow out from the liquid supply port 81K in a state where an increase in pressure loss is suppressed, that is, in a state where an increase in flow velocity is suppressed. Yes.

  Thus, the ink accommodated in the ink chamber IS including the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D configured in the second supply member 61 flows to the liquid supply port 81K through the ink outlet 64H of the filter chamber 60F. . The ink that has flowed to the liquid supply port 81K flows out to the supply needle 29 side, and is then supplied to the liquid ejecting head 18.

  That is, as shown by solid arrows in FIGS. 17B and 18B, the ink that has flowed into the filter chamber 60F from the ink chamber IS flows into the ink outlet 64H, and then passes through the valve element 93. It flows through the relay flow path 82F formed in the joining portion 82 and flows into the cylindrical flow path portion 85 that communicates with the relay flow path 82F. Thus, the ink in the ink chamber IS is guided to the liquid supply port 81K through the filter 66. The valve body 93 functions as a check valve that allows the ink flow from the ink chamber IS side to the liquid supply port 81K side and regulates the backflow of ink from the liquid supply port 81K side to the ink chamber IS side.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 (a), 15 (b) and 19 (a), 19 (b), the joint portion 82 to which the pack body 91 is joined by welding or the like is provided on the side surface of the boat shape that is the joining surface 82S. A plurality of grooves are formed along the longitudinal direction. In a state where the pack body 91 is bonded (welded) to the bonding surface 82S, a space 83 is formed by the plurality of grooves. The space 83 is configured to communicate with the atmosphere, which is an example of a non-contained space that does not contain ink other than the ink chamber IS (not communicated with the ink chamber IS).

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, in the present embodiment, the first supply member 81 communicates with the atmosphere on the plate-like main body upper surface 81S on the opposite side of the joint portion 82 in the main body 81A. A cylindrical space 84S in which a communication port 84 is formed is provided, and the cylindrical space 84S communicates with the space 83. Accordingly, the space 83 is formed as a space in which the communication port 84 communicates with the atmosphere via the cylindrical space 84S.

  In the present embodiment, in the cylindrical space 84S, side wall grooves 84M having a predetermined width and depth are formed on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the main body 81A on the side of the communication port 84 on the cylindrical side surface. Yes. For this reason, the shape of the communication port 84 is a polygonal shape in which a part of the arcs facing each other bulge outward and deform from a circular shape. Further, the main body upper surface 81 </ b> S of the first supply member 81 is provided with a step portion 81 </ b> D that forms at least a part of the edge of the communication port 84. In the present embodiment, the stepped portion 81D protrudes outward from the main body upper surface 81S on the side opposite to the joint portion 82, and is formed in a direction along the short portion of the main body 81A.

  Further, in a state where the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is mounted on the mounting portion 20 of the printer 11, that is, in a state where the ink container 80 is mounted, the step portion 81D is located on the gravity direction side of the communication port 84 and is scanned. It is formed in a direction along the direction X. The width along the vertical direction of the stepped portion 81D, that is, the width W1 of the convex portion is formed to be narrower than the width W2 along the vertical direction of the communication port 84.

  Similarly, in a state where the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is mounted on the mounting portion 20 of the printer 11, that is, in a state where the ink container 80 is mounted, the communication port 84 is in a direction opposite to the gravity direction with respect to the liquid supply port 81K. Located on a certain Z side. The communication port 84 formed on the opposite side of the main body 81 </ b> A from the joint portion 82 is located on the first supply member 81 in the insertion direction Yr side of the mounting portion 20.

  Next, the operation according to the configuration of the present embodiment will be described in the order of the operation in the ink container 80, the operation in assembling the ink cartridges 70 and 70W, and the operation in mounting the ink cartridges 70 and 70W to the mounting portion 20.

<Action in ink container>
As shown in FIG. 19A, the joint portion 82 of the first supply member 81 is provided with a space 83 communicating with the atmosphere, which is an example of a space that does not contain ink other than the ink chamber IS. When the pack body 91 is welded, it is possible to let the air escape to the space 83 so that the air is not trapped on the welding surface.

  Further, since the shape of the communication port 84 is not a circular shape but a polygonal shape, it is possible to prevent the communication port 84 from being easily blocked by, for example, a round bar. Further, at least one step is formed in the communication port 84 by a narrow step portion 81D provided on the main body upper surface 81S of the main body 81A in which the communication port 84 is formed. Therefore, for example, even when the communication port 84 is covered with the sheet member, the communication port 84 is prevented from being blocked by the formed step. Furthermore, since the communication port 84 is positioned on the Z side, which is the direction opposite to the gravity direction, relative to the liquid supply port 81K, the probability that ink leaked from the liquid supply port 81K flows into the communication port 84 is reduced. In addition, since the communication port 84 is located on the first supply member 81 in the insertion direction Yr side with respect to the mounting portion 20, the ink container 80 (ink cartridge 70 (70 W)) is mounted on the printer 11 and the printer 11 is mounted. The probability that the communication port 84 is blocked by a foreign object entering from the outside of the apparatus 11 is reduced.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the ink container 80 has the first flat surface FS (second surface) of the second supply member 61 in a state where the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is mounted on the mounting portion 20. The perpendicular direction of (two planes DS) is a direction (scanning direction X) intersecting the vertical direction. In the ink chamber IS, the opening shape of the substantially parallelogram-shaped filter chamber 60F on which the filter 66 is pasted is long in the insertion direction Yr and intersects the insertion direction Yr, as shown by a thin broken line in FIG. It arrange | positions in the state where the perpendicular direction used as the direction to do is short. 20A and 20B, only the outline of the pack body 91 (pack member 92) is shown for ease of explanation.

  Accordingly, when the ink amount in the ink chamber IS decreases as the ink flows out from the liquid supply port 81K, the pack body 91 moves between the pack members 92 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. As a result, the ink is deformed in a state where a large amount of ink remains on the gravity direction side in the ink chamber IS. That is, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 20A, the contact position CP where the pack members 92 contact each other gradually moves from the Z side, which is the direction opposite to the gravity direction, to the gravity direction side.

  The first opening 65 serving as an ink inflow region to the filter chamber 60F is longer on the insertion direction Yr side intersecting the vertical direction than on the vertical direction. Therefore, the pack body 91 (pack member 92) that deforms as the liquid amount decreases (the contact position CP moves in the gravitational direction) as compared with the case where the first opening 65 is long in the vertical direction is the first opening 65. It is possible to increase the amount of ink that flows out until it is covered. Further, when the pack member 92 contacts the plurality of convex portions 61A at the contact position CP, the ink in the ink chamber IS passes through the gap provided between the convex portions 61A from the decompression chamber 60D side to the filter chamber 60F. Inflow to the side.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the second supply member 61 is formed long in the direction intersecting the vertical direction according to the shape of the first opening 65, and therefore, the description of the illustration here is omitted, but the ink chamber IS. The second supply member 61 can be arranged close to the weight direction side. As a result, it is possible to increase the amount of ink that flows out until the pack body 91 (pack member 92), which deforms with the outflow of ink from the ink chamber IS, covers the first opening 65.

  Further, the ink further flows out, and the pack body 91 deformed so that the space between the pack members 92 becomes narrower as shown by the broken line in FIG. 20B comes into contact with the first plane FS of the second supply member 61. In this contact state, when the pack member 92 comes into contact with the convex portions 61B and 61C in addition to the plurality of convex portions 61A, the gap in the ink chamber IS is interposed between the convex portions 61B and 61C. Ink located on the gravity direction side can flow into the filter chamber 60F.

  20A, the first opening 65 of the filter chamber 60F overlaps with the second opening 68 of the decompression chamber 60D when viewed from the scanning direction X, as indicated by a thick broken line and a thin broken line. Is arranged. For this reason, when a gas is dissolved in the ink that has flowed into the filter chamber 60F, the dissolved gas is used as a member portion of the second supply member 61 existing between the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D, that is, the filter chamber. It is easy to move to the decompression chamber 60D through a common member portion that forms 60F and the decompression chamber 60D. Of course, in this case, at least the common member portion of the second supply member 61 is formed of a resin material having high gas permeability.

<Operation in ink cartridge assembly>
21 (a), (b), (c) and FIGS. 22 (a), (b), (c), the ink cartridge 70 (70W) includes a first case member 71 and a second case member. The ink container 80 is attached to and supported by the first case member 71 before being assembled in combination with the second case 72.

  First, as shown in FIG. 21A and FIG. 22A, the cylindrical flow path portion 85 provided in the first supply member 81 can be inserted into the first case member 71 together with the engaged portion 86. A through hole forming part 75 in which the through hole 75H is formed is provided. The through-hole forming portion 75 has a concave shape that is recessed from the first surface CS1, and the through-hole 75H is formed on the bottom wall that is formed in the direction along the first surface CS1 in this concave shape. A side wall 76 is provided around the formed through-hole 75H, and the first surface CS1 on the side where the first supply member 81 (cylindrical channel portion 85) is inserted is provided on the side wall 76. A contact portion 76A that contacts the main body 81A of the inserted first supply member 81 is provided on the side opposite to the side.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 21 (b) and 22 (b), the cylindrical flow path portion 85 provided in the first supply member 81 is covered with respect to the through hole forming portion 75 of the first case member 71. It is inserted through the through hole 75H together with the engaging portion 86. That is, the through hole 75H opens in a shape that allows the cylindrical flow path portion 85 and the engaged portion 86 to pass therethrough. At the time of this insertion, the insertion direction of the ink container 80 is such that the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the first case member 71 is the longitudinal direction of the joint portion 82. Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is set to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first case member 71. At this time, the user can easily identify the insertion posture by the main body 81A having an asymmetric shape.

  In the state where the first supply member 81 is inserted until the main body 81 </ b> A comes into contact with the contact portion 76 </ b> A of the first case member 71, the first engaged portion 86 </ b> A of the engaged portion 86 and the through-hole forming portion 75. The side wall 76 is provided at a position that does not overlap when viewed from a direction intersecting (here, orthogonal) to the insertion direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 21C and FIG. 22C, the first supply in which the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is inserted into the through hole 75H of the first case member 71 (through hole forming portion 75). In a state where the member 81 is in contact with the contact portion 76A, the insertion direction is rotated about the cylindrical flow path portion 85 as the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the first supply member 81 is rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front side in the insertion direction of the cylindrical flow path portion 85. As a result of this rotation, the extending direction of the pack member 92 of the pack body 91 becomes a direction along the longitudinal direction of the first case member 71, and the first engaged portion 86A overlaps the side wall 76 when viewed from the insertion direction. Move to the matching position. As a result, the engagement between the first engaged portion 86A and the side wall 76 restricts the movement of the cylindrical flow path portion 85 of the ink container 80 in the insertion direction and in the opposite direction. Thereby, the movement along the insertion direction of the ink container 80 is restricted, and is attached to and supported by the first case member 71. In the present embodiment, in a state where the ink container 80 is attached to the first case member 71, the first engaged portion 86A of the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is defined by the column 86P protruding toward the main body 81A side. It engages with the side wall 76 of the through-hole forming part 75 in a state where there is no gap in the insertion direction. In this respect, the side wall 76 functions as an engaging portion that engages with the first supply member 81 so as to restrict the movement of the first supply member 81 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21C, a locking portion that restricts the rotation of the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is provided in a state where the ink container 80 is attached to the first case member 71. This locking portion is locked to the first supply member 81, thereby restricting rotation in a state where the first engaged portion 86 </ b> A of the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is engaged with the side wall 76. Specifically, the first case member 71 has a first protrusion protruding toward the first supply member 81 to be attached in the rotation locus of the L-shaped portion 81F provided in the first supply member 81 rotating in the clockwise direction. The protrusion 71A and the second protrusion 71B are provided as locking portions.

  The first protrusion 71A contacts the rotation direction side of the L-shaped portion 81F that moves in the rotation direction when the ink container 80 is attached to the first case member 71, thereby bringing the first supply member 81 into the rotation direction side. It functions as a locking part that locks at. On the other hand, the second protrusion 71B is in contact with the L-shaped portion 81F in the direction opposite to the rotation direction when the ink container 80 is attached to the first case member 71, so that the rotation direction of the first supply member 81 It functions as a locking portion that locks in the opposite direction side. The L-shaped part 81F functions as a locked part.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 23, when the L-shaped portion 81F is attached to the first case member 71 by rotating the ink container 80 (first supply member 81) in the clockwise direction, It is formed so as to be deformed as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. That is, the L-shaped portion 81F engages with the second protrusion 71B while the lock mechanism 81F is rotating, and once the lock mechanism 81Fa is deformed with the rotation, the L-shaped portion 81F is engaged with the second protrusion 71B. When the connection is released, the deformation is returned to the original and is locked to the second protrusion 71B. Accordingly, when the user rotates the ink container 80 in the clockwise direction and attaches it to the first case member 71, the state where the ink container 80 is rotated to the attachment position by the change in the rotational force that occurs when the deformation of the lock mechanism 81 Fa is restored. It can be easily recognized. Of course, the deformation of the lock mechanism 81Fa is preferably elastic deformation.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the ink container 80 can be detached from the first case member 71. That is, the locking mechanism 81Fa in the locked state with the second protrusion 71B is deformed as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 23 to release the locked state with the second protrusion 71B, and the ink container 80 (first The ink container 80 can be removed from the first case member 71 by rotating the 1 supply member 81) counterclockwise.

<Operation in mounting the ink cartridge on the mounting section>
Next, among the four ink cartridges 70 inserted into the cartridge holder 22 of the mounting unit 20, the wide ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is inserted at the leftmost position in the scanning direction X of the cartridge holder 22. explain. Of course, the operation of the mounting portion 20 is the same for the three ink cartridges 70 inserted in other positions and also for the ink cartridge 70 inserted in the leftmost position in the scanning direction X of the cartridge holder 22. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is inserted into the insertion guide portion 27 </ b> C provided to protrude from the upper member 27 of the cartridge holding body 22 from the opening side of the cartridge holding body 22, thereby The insertion direction Yr side of the surface CS3 (bottom surface) is placed on the lower guide rib 28A (arc-shaped rib 28R) of the bottom member 28. Therefore, in the state at the start of the insertion, the ink cartridge 70W is provided as a guide wall portion in which the fifth surface CS5 and the sixth surface CS6 are guided by the insertion guide portion 27C of the cartridge holder 22, and the scanning direction X The position of is roughly determined. The insertion guide portion 27C is provided with a gap between the fifth surface CS5 or the sixth surface CS6 of the ink cartridge 70W to be inserted so that the ink cartridge 70W (70W) can be easily inserted. .

  Further, in the state at the start of the insertion, the upper convex portion 70E and the lower convex portion 70D of the ink cartridge 70W are at positions that do not yet face the upper guide rib 27A and the lower guide rib 28A of the cartridge holder 22 in the scanning direction X, respectively. is there. Further, the four protrusions 70 </ b> P provided on the third surface are not inserted into the cartridge holder 22. Therefore, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is not yet properly positioned in the mounting unit 20, and the position is unstable. Note that the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W may be in an inclined state in which the direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr is lowered in the gravity direction due to the weight of the ink stored in the ink container 80. In FIG. 24, such an oblique state is illustrated.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 25, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is further pushed in the insertion direction Yr from the state indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 25 (the state where the insertion of the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is started with respect to the mounting portion 20). In this state (the state in which the ink cartridge 70W is being inserted into the mounting portion 20), the movement in the X direction is regulated (the position is determined) by being guided by the arc-shaped rib 28R of the lower guide rib 28A. . That is, as the ink cartridge 70W is further pushed in the insertion direction Yr, the arc-shaped rib 28R of the lower guide rib 28A enters between the lower convex portions 70D formed on the third surface CS3 (bottom surface). By the insertion of the arc-shaped rib 28R, the third surface CS3 side of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 70W is in a state where the insertion direction Yr side faces the lower guide rib 28A of the bottom member 28 in the scanning direction X. Further, the upper convex portion 70E (inner convex portion 70Ea) is also positioned to face the upper guide rib 27A, and the ink cartridge 70W is located on both the third surface CS3 side of the bottom surface and the fourth surface CS4 side of the upper surface in the scanning direction X. The position in the scanning direction X is regulated. As a result, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is approximately positioned in the scanning direction X in the mounting unit 20.

  In the state where the ink cartridge 70W is being inserted into the mounting portion 20, the guide portion 27B of the cartridge holder 22 is inserted into the groove 70H provided in the ink cartridge 70W, whereby the ink The mounting of the cartridge 70W on the mounting portion 20 is avoided so as not to be hindered (see FIG. 28C). Further, the connecting rib 70R provided on the second surface CS2 side in the third surface CS3 of the ink cartridge 70W is not in contact with the arc-shaped rib 28R of the lower guide rib 28A of the cartridge holder 22 and is separated in the insertion direction Yr. Therefore, the mounting of the ink cartridge 70W on the mounting portion 20 is not hindered (see FIGS. 28B and 29B).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 26, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is further pushed into the insertion direction Yr from the state in which the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is being inserted into the mounting portion 20 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 26. The moving body 41 moves in the insertion direction Yr, and the supply needle 29 is inserted into the liquid supply port 81K (see FIG. 9A). The second terminal 34 on the mounting unit 20 side and the first terminal 35 on the ink cartridge 70 side (see FIG. 9A) are in contact with each other and are electrically connected, so that the ink cartridge 70W is connected to the mounting unit 20. It will be in the state of wearing.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W that moves in the insertion direction Yr when the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W reaches the mounting portion 20 has a lower convex portion 70 </ b> D and a lower guide rib that face each other in the scanning direction X. 28A, the upper convex portion 70E, and the upper guide rib 27A move while maintaining the state of being positioned in the scanning direction X of the mounting portion 20. Further, during this movement (a state in which the ink cartridge 70W is being inserted into the mounting portion 20), of the four protrusions 70P provided on the third surface CS3 of the ink cartridge 70W, the insertion direction Yr side The two projecting portions 70P located at the position slid in contact with the rail 28C. Further, the ink cartridge 70W is provided on the third surface CS3 of the ink cartridge 70W even when the ink cartridge 70W is mounted on the mounting unit 20 and when the ink cartridge 70W is being inserted into the mounting unit 20. Of the four protrusions 70P, the two protrusions 70P located on the side opposite to the insertion direction Yr side are in contact with or slid in contact with the rail 28C as shown in FIG.

  As a result, the ink cartridge 70 slides while the at least two protrusions 70P are in contact with the rail 28C, so that the rotation with the insertion direction Yr as the axis and the rotation with the scanning direction X as the axis is suppressed. Move in the state. Even in the mounted state, the contact between the two projections 70P separated from each other in the scanning direction X and the rail 28C results in a stable state in which rotation about the insertion direction Yr is suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 26, when the ink cartridge 70W is in the mounted state, the groove portion 70G provided in the third surface CS3 is positioned in the insertion direction Yr by engaging with the lever member 52. At the time of positioning, a biasing force is applied from the lever member 52 in the direction Z opposite to the direction of gravity, that is, upward. For this reason, the insertion direction Yr side of the ink cartridge 70 may be lifted upward by the biasing force of the lever member 52 in some cases.

  In such a case, even when the two protrusions 70P located on the insertion direction Yr side are separated from the rail 28C, as shown in FIG. 27, the rail 28C contacts the rail 28C on the direction opposite to the insertion direction Yr. By the two protrusions 70P, the ink cartridge 70 maintains a stable state in which rotation about the scanning direction X as an axis is suppressed. As a result, the liquid supply port 81K provided in the first surface CS1 is prevented from being displaced relative to the supply needle 29, so that the supply needle 29 is stably inserted into the liquid supply port 81K.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 70W is locked to the mounting portion 20 by the engagement between the groove portion 70G and the lever member 52, the ink cartridge 70W is in a state in which movement in the scanning direction X is restricted. Positioned with.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 28A, 28B, and 28C, first, the ink cartridge 70W is pushed into a position where the pin 55 of the lever member 52 starts to engage with the groove 70G. Then, the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A starts to engage with the lower convex wall portion 70DT formed with the lower inner wall 70B of the ink cartridge 70W. Further, the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A starts to engage with the upper convex wall portion 70ET formed on the upper inner wall 70A of the ink cartridge 70W. In other words, the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A and the lower convex wall portion 70DT are formed at positions where such engagement is started.

  By starting the engagement in this manner, the ink cartridge 70W is moved in the scanning direction X from the lower gap between the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A and the lower convex wall portion 70DT and the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A. All of the upper gaps between the upper convex wall portions 70ET have no gaps. Alternatively, the lower gap and the upper gap may be smaller than the gap between the lower guide rib 28A and the lower inner wall 70B and the gap between the upper guide rib 27A and the upper inner wall 70A. Further, in a state in which there is no gap, the engaging force is generated between the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A and the lower convex wall portion 70DT or between the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A and the upper convex wall portion 70ET. They can be combined.

  As described above, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W inserted into the mounting portion 20 has no gap in the scanning direction X or is in a small state, so that the groove portion 70 </ b> G is not displaced with respect to the lever member 52 serving as the movable locking portion. Engage. Accordingly, the lever member 52 moves smoothly along the cam shape formed in the groove 70G. In the state shown in FIGS. 28A, 28B, and 28C, the insertion of the supply needle 29 into the liquid supply port and the electrical connection between the first terminal 35 and the second terminal 34 are performed. It hasn't been done yet.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 29A, 29B, and 29C, the ink cartridge 70W to be inserted is pushed into the mounting portion 20 to the position of the reference numeral 55B which is the deepest in the insertion direction Yr. . That is, the position of the pin 55 of the lever member 52 is pushed to the position of the reference numeral 55B in FIG. In this state, in this embodiment, the lower convex wall portion 70DT moved in the insertion direction Yr is kept engaged with the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A. That is, the lower convex wall portion 70DT relatively moves in the insertion direction Yr as long as the engagement with the rib 28T is maintained. Further, the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A is also maintained in engagement with the upper convex wall portion 70ET formed on the upper inner wall 70A of the ink cartridge 70W. In other words, the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A, the lower convex wall portion 70DT, the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A, and the upper convex wall portion 70ET are each formed with a predetermined length that maintains such engagement.

  By maintaining the engagement in this manner, the ink cartridge 70W moves in the insertion direction Yr while maintaining no gap or a small state in the scanning direction X. Therefore, the lever member 52 moves in the scanning direction X accompanying insertion. It engages with the groove part 70G in which the positional deviation to is suppressed. At this time, the supply needle 29 is inserted into the liquid supply port 81 </ b> K with a positional displacement suppressed, and the first terminal 35 is connected to the second terminal 34 with a positional displacement suppressed.

  Further, when the supply needle 29 is inserted into the liquid supply port 81K, the moving body 41 is pushed in the insertion direction Yr with the movement of the ink cartridge 70W, whereby the first urging member 48 (FIG. 10B). )) Is compressed, and the urging force of the first urging member 48 is generated with respect to the ink cartridge 70. Accordingly, the user presses the second surface CS2 of the ink cartridge 70W by the mark MK (see FIG. 8E) indicating the pressing position displayed on the label 74 of the second surface CS2, thereby the first urging member. It is possible to stably push the ink cartridge 70W in the insertion direction Yr while resisting rotation with the bottom surface side as a fulcrum while resisting the urging force of 48.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 30A, 30B, and 30C, when the ink cartridge 70W moved to the position 55B is released from being pushed in the insertion direction Yr, the ink cartridge 70W is moved to the first position. The urging force of one urging member 48 is pushed back in the extraction direction. Thus, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is moved by the lever member 52 so that the pin 55 of the lever member 52 does not come out of the cartridge holder 22 by moving to the restricting position (see FIG. 11A and reference numeral 55 </ b> C) in the groove 70 </ b> G. It becomes the locked mounting position. Accordingly, the first biasing member 48 has a pressing force between the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A and the lower convex wall portion 70DT, or a pressing force between the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A and the upper convex wall portion 70ET. Even if it occurs, the urging force is set so that the ink cartridge 70W is moved against these pressing forces.

  When the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W moves from the position 55 </ b> B to the mounting position, the lower convex wall portion 70 </ b> DT that moves in the extraction direction is kept engaged with the rib 28 </ b> T of the lower guide rib 28 </ b> A. Further, the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A is also maintained in engagement with the upper convex wall portion 70ET formed on the upper inner wall 70A of the ink cartridge 70W. Of course, the contact state between the first terminal 35 and the second terminal 34 is maintained. Further, the state where the supply needle 29 is inserted into the liquid supply port 81K is maintained at the mounting position of the ink cartridge 70W.

  As described above, the upper convex wall portion 70ET and the lower convex wall portion 70DT of the ink cartridge 70W are respectively connected to the upper guide rib 27A in the mounting portion 20 when the groove portion 70G is locked by engaging with the lever member 52. It functions as a positioning portion positioned by the rib 27T and the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A. In the present embodiment, the upper convex wall portion 70ET and the lower convex wall portion 70DT functioning as the positioning portions sandwich the upper guide rib 27A and the lower guide rib 28A when the ink cartridge 70W is mounted on the mounting portion 20, respectively. The ink cartridges 70W are disposed so as to be positioned on both sides, and the ink cartridge 70W is positioned in a direction crossing the insertion direction Yr.

  Note that the ink cartridge 70W is pushed into the insertion direction Yr side against the urging force of the first urging member 48 again, so that the ink cartridge 70W has the configuration shown in FIGS. 29 (a) and 29 (b). , (C) again. By moving to this position, the pin 55 moves to the position indicated by reference numeral 55D in FIG. By the movement of the pin 55 to the position of 55D, the ink cartridge 70W is released from the engagement state between the groove portion 70G and the pin 55 of the lever member 52, and the biasing force by the first biasing member 48 It is pushed back to a position where the user can extract it via the moving body 41.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since both the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D are provided in the ink chamber IS, ink containing bubbles (gas) and foreign matters other than bubbles (dirt, dust, etc.) from the ink chamber IS through the liquid supply port 81K. Can be prevented from flowing out.

  (2) By overlapping the decompression chamber 60D in the direction in which the projected area of the filter chamber 60F is maximized, bubbles (gas) in the filter chamber 60F can be easily and effectively flowed into the decompression chamber 60D.

  (3) The first opening 65 can be positioned in the vertical gravity direction in the ink chamber IS. Accordingly, since the ink in the ink container 80 that flows out and decreases from the liquid supply port 81K physically remains on the gravity direction side, the ink easily passes into the filter chamber 60F through the first opening 65 located on the gravity direction side. Can flow into.

  (4) Since at least a part of the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D is formed of a common member, the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D can be formed at adjacent positions. Therefore, the gas can be degassed from the ink flowing into the filter chamber 60F by the adjacent decompression chamber 60D. In addition, since the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D are formed of a common member, the overall volume can be reduced, so that it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber IS. .

  (5) The members constituting the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D can be exchanged. Therefore, for example, when the ink container 80 is manufactured, it is possible to replace them when necessary. Further, for example, the filter 66 of the filter chamber 60F can be changed.

(6) The gap formed by the convex portions 61A, 61B, 61C can be flowed and guided to the filter chamber 60F so that the ink does not remain in the ink chamber IS.
(7) Since the deformation of the filter 66 in the filter chamber 60F is restricted by the rib 64b, the decrease of the filter chamber 60F can be suppressed and the damage of the filter 66 due to the deformation can be suppressed.

(8) In the filter chamber 60F, the flow rate of the ink flowing out to the first supply member 81 side is slowed down, so that the ink flow to the liquid supply port 81K can be facilitated.
(9) Since the gas is degassed from the ink in the filter chamber 60F by the decompression chamber 60D configured by the second supply member 61, it is possible to suppress the outflow of ink including dirt and bubbles (gas) from the ink chamber IS. It becomes possible.

  (10) Since air is released from the space 83 formed by joining the pack body 91 and the first supply member 81, the pack body 91 and the first supply member 81 are caused by the expansion of the air in the space 83 due to the temperature change. Can be prevented from peeling off.

  (11) When the space 83 is formed in the first supply member 81 as in this embodiment, the space 83 can be easily communicated with the atmosphere by the communication port 84 provided in the first supply member 81.

  (12) Since the communication port 84 is prevented from being easily blocked by a round bar or the like, the expansion of the air in the space 83 due to the temperature change is suppressed by the communication port 84, and the pack body 91 and the first supply member It is possible to prevent the bonding (welding) with 81 (bonding portion 82) from peeling off.

  (13) Since the communication port 84 is prevented from being blocked by a sheet or the like, air is released to the space 83 when the pack body 91 and the first supply member 81 are joined, and the communication port 84 causes a space 83 due to a temperature change. It is possible to suppress the expansion of the air inside, and to prevent the bond between the pack body 91 and the first supply member 81 from being peeled off.

  (14) Since foreign matter or the like adhering to the stepped portion 81D is located on the gravity direction side of the communication port 84, the communication port 84 is prevented from being blocked. As a result, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the air in the space 83 due to the temperature change by the communication port 84 and to prevent the bonding between the pack body 91 and the first supply member 81 from being peeled off.

  (15) Since the communication port 84 can be prevented from being blocked by the step formed by the stepped portion 81D with a high probability, the communication port 84 suppresses the expansion of air in the space 83 due to the temperature change, and the pack body. It can suppress that joining of 91 and the 1st supply member 81 peels.

  (16) The communication port 84 located on the direction Z side opposite to the gravity direction of the liquid supply port 81K is suppressed from being blocked by ink leaking from the liquid supply port 81K. It is possible to suppress the expansion of the air in the space 83 accompanying the above, and to prevent the joint between the pack body 91 and the first supply member 81 from being peeled off.

  (17) Since the communication port 84 is concealed in the state where it is attached to the printer 11, the communication port 84 is prevented from being blocked. As a result, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the air in the space 83 due to the temperature change by the communication port 84 and to prevent the bonding between the pack body 91 and the first supply member 81 from being peeled off.

(18) The ink cartridge 70 (70W) can include the ink container 80 in which the joint between the pack body 91 and the first supply member 81 is prevented from being peeled off.
(19) The ink container 80 rotates with the insertion direction Yr as the axis in the state where the cylindrical flow path portion 85 of the first supply member 81 is inserted into the through hole 75H of the first case member 71. 71 is engaged and positioned. Therefore, the first supply member 81 of the ink container 80 can be supported in a positioning state with respect to the first case member 71 with a simple structure (and with fewer steps). As a result, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) in which the movement of the ink container 80 is suppressed even when an impact due to dropping or the like is applied is obtained.

  (20) The first supply member 81 has a first protrusion 71A that restricts rotation in a state in which the tubular flow passage 85 is engaged with the through-hole forming portion 75 so that movement in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is restricted. And since it latches by the 2nd projection part 71B, the state by which the 1st supply member 81 was supported by the positioning state with respect to the 1st case member 71 can be maintained.

  (21) It is possible to recognize a state in which the L-shaped portion 81F of the first supply member 81 is locked to the first protrusion 71A and the second protrusion 71B of the first case member 71 due to the deformation of the lock mechanism 81Fa. The first supply member 81 can be reliably supported by the first case member 71.

(22) When the first supply member 81 is attached to the first case member 71, the rotation angle is 90 degrees.
(23) In the state where the first supply member 81 is supported by the first case member 71, the engagement in the tubular flow path portion 85 with respect to the side wall 76 of the through hole forming portion 75 is prevented from coming off in the direction opposite to the insertion direction Therefore, the first case member 71 can be firmly positioned and supported.

  (24) The first supply member 81 is easily and surely supported by the first case member 71 by rotating the first supply member 81 in a state where the movement of the cylindrical flow path portion 85 in the insertion direction Yr is constrained. Can be made.

  (25) When the first supply member 81 is supported by the first case member 71, an error in the insertion posture of the first supply member 81 when the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is inserted into the through hole 75H can be suppressed. it can.

  (26) Since the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is positioned at a plurality of positions by the convex portions 70C provided on the respective surfaces facing each other in the direction intersecting the insertion direction Yr in the state of being mounted on the mounting portion 20, the ink cartridge 70 (70 W) can be attached to the attachment portion 20 in a stable state.

(27) It is possible to position the ink cartridge 70 (70 W) biased upward in the vertical direction while suppressing the inclination in the mounting portion 20.
(28) Since the rotation of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) whose axis is the insertion direction Yr is suppressed when mounted on the mounting portion 20, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) has a suppressed displacement of the liquid supply port 81K. Mounted in a stable state.

  (29) Since the inclination of the first terminal 35 of the circuit board 30 is suppressed during mounting on the mounting unit 20, displacement of the first terminal 35 with respect to the mounting unit 20 is suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to stably store information about ink sent from the printer 11 side.

  (30) When an urging force is applied to make electrical connection to the first terminal 35, the urging force in the extraction direction is generated by the inclination at the time of mounting on the mounting portion 20, so that the mounting portion Ink cartridge 70 (70 W) can be stably extracted from 20.

  (31) Since the rotation around the bottom surface (third surface CS3) side of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) due to the urging force in the extraction direction is suppressed at the time of mounting on the mounting portion 20, the ink cartridge at the mounting portion 20 is suppressed. 70 (70 W) can be attached in a stable state.

  (32) When the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is inserted into the mounting portion 20, the convex portion 70C has its lower convex portion 70D approximately positioning the ink cartridge 70 (70W) and mounted on the mounting portion 20. Further, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is accurately positioned by the protrusion 70P. Therefore, it is possible to mount the ink cartridge 70 (70 W) on the mounting unit 20 in a stable state.

  (33) When the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is reversely inserted into the mounting portion 20 with the second surface CS2 side as the insertion side, the connecting rib 70R has the first surface CS1 side as the insertion side and the ink cartridge 70 (70W). Compared with the case where the is correctly inserted into the mounting portion 20, the mounting portion 20 enters the back. Therefore, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is mounted on the mounting portion 20 by providing the arc-shaped rib 28R as an engaging portion that engages with the connecting rib 70R when the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is reversely inserted in the mounting portion 20. Can be prevented from being erroneously inserted.

  (34) Since the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is positioned when the groove portion 70G is engaged with the lever member 52 in the mounting portion 20 and mounted, the mounting operation of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) to the mounting portion 20 is performed. Is smoothly performed, and the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is reliably locked in the mounting portion 20 when the mounting is completed.

  (35) Since the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is restricted from rotating in the direction intersecting the insertion direction Yr when the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is inserted into the mounting portion 20 and mounted, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is restricted. 70W), the groove portion 70G is reliably engaged with the lever member 52.

  (36) The ink cartridge 70 (70W) is guided by the lower inner wall 70B of the lower convex portion 70D facing the side surface 28S of the lower guide rib 28A, and is guided by the lower convex wall portion 70DT provided on the lower convex portion 70D. The groove portion 70G is reliably engaged with the lever member 52 and is securely locked by the lever member 52.

  (37) Since the upper convex wall portion 70ET and the lower convex wall portion 70DT of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) are located on both sides of the upper guide rib 27A and the lower guide rib 28A, respectively, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is more reliably mounted. 20 can be positioned.

(38) Since the positional deviation between the groove part 70G and the lever member 52 is suppressed, the groove part 70G and the lever member 52 can be more reliably engaged.
(39) Since the electrical connection portion of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is provided in the extended region R4 of the surface sandwiched between the pair of upper convex wall portions 70ET, by being positioned on the upper convex wall portion 70ET, The electrical connection with the electrical connection portion on the printer 11 side is reliably performed.

  (40) Since the liquid supply port 81K is also positioned in a state in which the positional deviation is suppressed by the upper convex wall portion 70ET and the lower convex wall portion 70DT, it is reliably connected to the supply needle 29 of the mounting portion 20 of the printer 11.

  (41) When the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is inserted into the mounting portion 20, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) can be inserted so as to be guided by the insertion guide portion 27C. Can be installed.

  (42) Since the upper convex portion 70E and the lower convex portion 70D are guided by the upper guide rib 27A and the lower guide rib 28A, respectively, and the guide portion 27B is inserted into the groove 70H, the wide ink cartridge 70W is inserted into the mounting portion 20. Sometimes it can be easily mounted in the proper position.

  (43) When the wide ink cartridge 70W is inserted, the side surface different from the one side surface (fourth surface CS4) provided with the upper convex portion 70E and the groove 70H is set to the upper guide rib 27A and the guide portion 27B side. Since insertion becomes difficult, erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge 70W into the mounting portion 20 is suppressed.

The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment as described below.
In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the filter chamber 60F does not necessarily have the second cross-sectional area at the first position close to the ink outlet 64H farther from the ink outlet 64H than the first position. The inclined surface 64a larger than the flow path cross-sectional area at the position may not be provided. For example, when it is not necessary to slow down the flow of ink flowing out from the filter chamber 60F, the filter chamber 60F may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape without an inclined surface.

  In the ink container 80 of the above-described embodiment, the filter chamber 60F does not necessarily have to be provided with the rib 64b serving as a contact portion with the filter 66 that is deformed. For example, if the filter 66 is less deformed, or if the filter 66 is peeled off from the second supply member 61 and the function of the filter chamber 60F is maintained without opening the first opening 65 even if the filter 66 is deformed, the rib 64b. Is unnecessary.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the second supply member 61 may be provided with at least one convex portion among the convex portions 61A, 61B, 61C. Moreover, the provided convex part may be a convex part in which one protrusion is formed instead of a plurality. Alternatively, for example, when the pack body 91 does not deform even when the amount of ink in the ink chamber IS decreases, or when the deformation is small, the probability that the pack member 92 contacts the second supply member 61 is low. The convex portions 61A, 61B, and 61C are not necessarily provided.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, for example, when the second supply member 61 does not need to be replaced, the second supply member 61 is formed integrally with the first supply member 81 (joining portion 82), etc. The 60F and the decompression chamber 60D may not necessarily be detachably connected to the first supply member 81.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the first opening 65 through which ink can flow into the filter chamber 60F via the filter 66 is not necessarily longer in the vertical direction than in the direction intersecting the vertical direction. It doesn't have to be short. For example, the first opening 65 may be a square or a rectangle having a long vertical direction according to the shape of the pack body 91.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the decompression chamber 60D may be formed in a state where at least a portion thereof overlaps with the filter chamber 60F in the projection direction in which the projection area of the filter chamber 60F is maximized.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D are not necessarily formed of a common member. For example, the second supply member 61 is divided into two members divided in the thickness direction corresponding to the scanning direction X, the filter chamber 60F is set as one member of the two divided second supply members 61, and the decompression chamber 60D is set as the other member. May be formed.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the second supply member 61 forming the decompression chamber 60D does not necessarily have to be formed at a position where the ratio of the gas dissolved in the ink in the filter chamber 60F can be reduced. For example, when the probability that a gas dissolves in the ink that has flowed into the filter chamber 60F in the ink chamber IS is low, this may be performed.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, for example, when the ink stored in the ink chamber IS is an ink with little dirt or dissolved gas, the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D are not necessarily provided. . One modification will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B, the ink container 80 of the present modification includes a first supply member 81 in which a liquid supply port 81K is formed and a pack body joined to the first supply member 81. An ink chamber IS, which is an ink storage space, is formed by 91. An inlet 62 for injecting ink into the ink chamber IS is provided on the ink chamber IS side of the joint portion 82, and a second supply member 61H having a valve body 93 serving as a check valve therein is connected. Is done. Accordingly, the second supply member 61H has a shape obtained by cutting the forming member portions of the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D from the second supply member 61 of the embodiment. By adopting such a shape, it is not necessary to change the shape of the first supply member 81, and the ink container 80 that does not include the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D can be easily formed. In other words, the ink container 80 having the same shape and including the filter chamber 60F and the decompression chamber 60D and the ink container 80 not including the filter chamber 60F can be easily manufactured according to the type of ink to be stored.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the communication port 84 is not necessarily inserted into the mounting portion 20 of the printer 11 in the first supply member 81 if it is a place that is open to the atmosphere and has a low probability of being covered with a sheet or the like. It may not be located on the direction Yr side. For example, you may open in the side surface of 81 A of main bodies.

  In the ink container 80 of the above-described embodiment, the communication port 84 does not necessarily have to be positioned on the direction Z side opposite to the gravity direction in the vertical direction with respect to the liquid supply port 81K in a state where the ink container 80 is mounted on the mounting unit 20. Good. For example, even when ink leaks from the liquid supply port 81K, in the case where the ink does not flow into the main body 81A, the communication port 84 is provided at any position on the upper surface 81S of the main body 81A. Good.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the width W1 along the vertical direction of the stepped portion 81D may be the same as the width W2 along the vertical direction of the communication port 84, or may be wider than the width W2. For example, the step portion 81D is formed so that the step portion on the side Z in the direction opposite to the gravity direction of the step portion 81D is located within the width W2 of the communication port 84, thereby forming at least two steps in the communication port 84. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the communication port 84 from being blocked.

  In the ink container 80 of the above-described embodiment, the stepped portion 81 </ b> D does not necessarily have to be positioned on the gravity direction side of the communication port 84 in the vertical direction when mounted on the mounting portion 20. For example, when the probability that foreign matter or the like adheres to the stepped portion 81D is low, the stepped portion 81D may be positioned on the direction Z side opposite to the gravity direction of the communication port 84.

  In the ink container 80 according to the above-described embodiment, the first supply member 81 has a step formed in the main body upper surface 81 </ b> S in which the communication port 84 is formed with a step in the perpendicular direction of the main body upper surface 81 </ b> S at least part of the communication port 84. The part 81D may not be provided. For example, when the probability that the communication port 84 is blocked is low, the step portion 81D may not be provided in this way.

In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the step portion 81D of the first supply member 81 may be a groove provided on the main body upper surface 81S.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 32 (a) and 32 (b), in the present modification, the first supply member 81 has a concave groove so as to cross the communication port 84 communicating with the atmosphere on the main body upper surface 81S of the main body 81A. Is formed as a stepped portion 81Da. Accordingly, the step portion 81Da communicates with the cylindrical space 84S. Further, in the present modification, the concave groove of the stepped portion 81Da extends to both ends in the short direction of the main body 81A, and even if the main body upper surface 81S provided with the communication port 84 is covered, the side end of the main body 81A is covered. It is possible to keep the communication opening 84 open to the atmosphere by opening.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the shape of the communication port 84 is not necessarily a polygon. For example, it may be circular or elliptical. Alternatively, a boat shape similar to that of the joint portion 82 may be used. Any shape can be adopted as long as it can reduce the possibility of the communication port 84 being blocked.

  In the ink container 80 of the above embodiment, the space 83 does not necessarily have to communicate with the atmosphere by the communication port 84 formed in the first supply member 81. For example, in the pack member 92 of the pack body 91, the space 83 may be communicated with the atmosphere by opening a hole communicating with the space 83 in a portion joined to the joining surface 82S of the first supply member 81.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the first supply member 81 of the ink container 80 does not necessarily have to be formed asymmetrically when viewed from the direction of insertion into the first case member 71. For example, when the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is formed at the center of the main body 81A, it is not necessary to identify the insertion posture of the first supply member 81 when the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is inserted into the through hole 75H. The main body 81A may be formed symmetrically. In addition, for example, the shape or indication that can identify the insertion posture of the first supply member 81 when the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is inserted into the through hole 75H, such as a gate or a colored portion at the time of molding, is the first supply member 81. Alternatively, when provided in the main body 81A, the main body 81A may be symmetrical.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above-described embodiment, the through hole forming portion 75 does not necessarily have to be provided with the contact portion 76A that can contact the main body 81A in the insertion direction of the cylindrical flow path portion 85. . For example, a mark indicating the amount of insertion is provided in the cylindrical flow path portion 85, and the first supply member 81 is rotated by rotating the first supply member 81 with the cylindrical flow path portion 85 inserted to the mark. It can be supported by one case member 71.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is not necessarily engaged so that the movement of the first supply member 81 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction into the through hole 75H is restricted. The part 86 may not be provided. For example, in a state where the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is rotated after being inserted into the through hole 75H, the first supply member 81 other than the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is opposite to the insertion direction with respect to the first case member 71. When the movement of the first supply member 81 in the direction is suppressed and supported, it is not necessary to provide the engaged portion 86 in the cylindrical flow path portion 85. In this case, it is preferable that the engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion 86 provided in the through hole forming portion 75 is also formed in a portion other than the side wall 76 in the first case member 71.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the first protrusion 71A and the second protrusion 71B as the locking portions are not necessarily 90 from the position where the cylindrical flow path portion 85 is inserted into the through hole 75H. The position rotated by 1 degree does not have to be a position where the first supply member 81 is locked to the locking portion. For example, the angle may be, for example, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees as long as the angle is a guideline for attaching the first supply member 81 to the first case member 71.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, when the first supply member 81 is locked to the first protrusion 71A and the second protrusion 71B, the deformable lock mechanism 81Fa is formed on the L. The character-shaped part 81F is not necessarily provided. For example, the L-shaped portion 81F may be deformed (elastically deformed) so that the second projecting portion 71B escapes from the rotation locus of the L-shaped portion 81F without being deformed.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above-described embodiment, the cylindrical flow path 85 is engaged with the first case member 71 by engaging the first supply member 81 with the cylindrical flow path portion 85 engaged. The first protrusion 71A and the second protrusion 71B that restrict the rotation of the portion 85 may not be provided. For example, the first supply member 81 is configured by restricting the rotation of the cylindrical flow path portion 85 by the engagement of the second engaged portion 86B and the through hole forming portion 75 in the engaged portion 86. Can be maintained by the first case member 71.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the connecting rib 70R as the second convex portion provided on the third surface CS3 is not necessarily provided so as to constitute a part of the second surface CS2. Also good. This modification will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 33 (a), as the second convex portion, on the third surface CS3 of the ink cartridge 70W (70), a connecting rib that connects the pair of lower convex portions 70D at the position on the second surface CS2 side. 70Ra may be formed. According to this configuration, the ink cartridge 70 </ b> W (70) viewed from the second surface CS <b> 2 side is formed with a rectangular notch on the bottom surface side of the second surface CS <b> 2. Therefore, since the user can easily recognize the bottom surface and the top surface by the notch portion, erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge 70W (70) into the mounting portion 20 is suppressed.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), the second convex portion protrudes in a cylindrical shape at a position on the second surface CS2 side in the third surface CS3 of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) instead of the connecting rib. A circular boss 70Rb may be formed. According to this configuration, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) viewed from the second surface CS2 side is formed with a rectangular notch on the bottom surface side of the second surface CS2. Therefore, since the user can easily recognize the bottom surface and the top surface by the notch portion, erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) into the mounting portion 20 is suppressed.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the convex portion 70C is not necessarily limited to a pair of lower convex portions 70D extending in the insertion direction Yr, and a protruding portion 70P provided on the lower convex portion 70D. It does not need to be constituted by. For example, the lower convex portion 70D may be formed to have a shorter length in the insertion direction Yr so as to function as the convex portion 70C.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above-described embodiment, the first surface biased portion may not be located closer to the third surface CS3 than the fourth surface CS4 in the first surface CS1. Conversely, the position may be close to the fourth surface CS4, or may be a position at a distance from the third surface CS3 and the fourth surface CS4.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the circuit board 30 does not necessarily have to be inclined with respect to the insertion direction Yr to the mounting portion 20. For example, the direction may be orthogonal to the insertion direction Yr.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the first terminal 35, which is an electrical connection portion provided on the circuit board 30, is not necessarily between the convex portions 70C when viewed in the insertion direction Yr to the mounting portion 20. It does not have to be located. The first terminal 35 is preferably arranged according to the position of the second terminal 34 in the mounting portion 20.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the liquid supply port 81K does not necessarily need to be positioned between the convex portions 70C when viewed in the insertion direction Yr to the mounting portion 20. It is preferable to arrange them according to the position of the supply needle 29 in the mounting portion 20.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the convex portion 70C provided on the third surface CS3 is not necessarily located on the second surface CS2 side than the groove portion 70G that is the third surface biased portion. Also good. For example, when the position of the groove 70G is provided on the second surface CS2 side of the third surface CS3, the convex portion 70C is preferably provided on the first surface CS1 side.

  -In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the said embodiment, the convex part 70C does not necessarily need to be provided in the 3rd surface CS3. For example, the convex portion 70C may be provided on the fourth surface CS4, or may be provided on both the third surface CS3 and the fourth surface CS4. In short, the convex portion 70C may be provided in accordance with the direction in which the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is urged in the mounting portion 20.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above-described embodiment, the two protrusions 70P do not necessarily have to be provided at intervals in the insertion direction Yr in each lower projection 70D. For example, one protrusion 70P may be provided, or three or more protrusions 70P may be provided at intervals in the insertion direction Yr. When one protrusion 70P is provided, it is preferable that the protrusion 70P is provided near the second surface CS2 on the opposite side of the insertion direction Yr in the lower protrusion 70D.

  In the ink cartridge 70W of the above embodiment, the inner convex portion 70Ea and the groove 70H are not necessarily provided on the fourth surface CS4 that is one side surface. For example, the inner convex portion 70Ea may be provided on the fourth surface CS4, and the groove 70H may be provided on the third surface side. In this case, the guide portion 27 </ b> B is provided on the bottom member 28 in the mounting portion 20.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the groove 70H into which the guide portion 27B provided in the mounting portion 20 can be inserted is not necessarily provided. For example, if the ink cartridge 70 is not inserted at the position of the ink cartridge 70W in the mounting portion 20, the guide portion 27B is unnecessary. In this case, the groove 70H is not necessary.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the fifth surface CS5 or the sixth surface CS6 may not necessarily be provided as a guide wall portion that is guided by the insertion guide portion 27C provided in the mounting portion 20. . For example, when the insertion guide portion 27C is not required when inserting the ink cartridge 70 (70W) into the mounting portion 20, the guide wall that guides the fifth surface CS5 or the sixth surface CS6 to the insertion guide portion 27C in this way. It is not necessary to use it as a part.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the liquid supply port 81K is not disposed in the region R1 that intersects the extension region R3 on the third surface CS3 and the extension region R4 on the fourth surface CS4. Also good. The liquid supply port 81K is preferably arranged according to the position of the supply needle 29 in the mounting portion 20.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the first terminal 35 is not necessarily provided in the extension region R4 in the insertion direction Yr of the region sandwiched between the upper convex wall portions 70ET as the positioning portion. Good. The first terminal 35 is preferably arranged according to the position of the second terminal 34 serving as an electrical connection portion provided in the mounting portion 20 of the printer 11.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the groove portion 70G is not necessarily provided in the extension region R3 in the insertion direction Yr of the region sandwiched between the lower convex wall portions 70DT as the positioning portion. The groove part 70G is preferably arranged according to the position of the lever member 52 as a movable locking part provided in the mounting part 20 of the printer 11.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the upper convex wall portion 70ET or the lower convex wall portion 70DT is not necessarily the upper guide rib 27A or the lower guide rib 28A when the ink cartridge 70 (70W) is mounted on the mounting portion 20. It does not have to be located on both sides of the frame. For example, if positioning is possible, the upper convex wall portion 70ET or the lower convex wall portion 70DT may be positioned on one side of the upper guide rib 27A or one side of the lower guide rib 28A, respectively.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the upper convex wall portion 70ET or the lower convex wall portion 70DT is not necessarily provided on the upper convex portion 70E (inner convex portion 70Ea) or the lower convex portion 70D. Good. For example, the upper convex wall portion 70ET or the lower convex wall portion 70DT is provided on the fourth surface CS4 or the third surface CS3 as a portion different from the upper convex portion 70E (inner convex portion 70Ea) or the lower convex portion 70D. Also good.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above embodiment, the upper convex wall portion 70ET or the lower convex wall portion 70DT does not necessarily have to be positioned in the direction intersecting the insertion direction Yr. For example, the upper convex wall portion 70ET or the lower convex wall portion 70DT may position the ink cartridge 70 (70W) in the insertion direction Yr. In this way, for example, even if the position of the ink cartridge 70 (70W) locked by the movable locking portion (lever member 52) in the insertion direction Yr varies, the ink cartridge 70 (70W) remains on the upward convex wall portion 70ET. Alternatively, the lower convex wall portion 70DT is stably positioned with respect to the mounting portion 20 in the insertion direction Yr.

  In the ink cartridge 70 (70W) of the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which at least one of the upper convex wall portion 70ET and the lower convex wall portion 70DT is provided as the positioning portion in the mounting portion 20 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the ribs 27T or the ribs 28T are not necessarily provided on the upper guide rib 27A or the lower guide rib 28A. Further, the rail 28 </ b> C may not be provided on the bottom member 28 of the mounting portion 20.

  In the above embodiment, the lower convex wall portion 70DT is engaged with the rib 28T of the lower guide rib 28A in a state where the ink cartridge 70W (70) is pushed to the position of the reference numeral 55B of the mounting portion 20. It does not have to be. Alternatively, the rib 27T of the upper guide rib 27A may not be engaged with the upward convex wall portion 70ET. The engagement state may be maintained at least in the mounted state.

  In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 70 does not necessarily have to be provided with the first terminal 35 on the inclined surface 71K inclined in the direction intersecting the insertion direction Yr to the cartridge holder 22. For example, the first terminal 35 may be provided on a side surface in which the insertion direction Yr is the perpendicular direction (that is, along the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction Yr).

  In the above embodiment, the first urging member 48 does not necessarily have to be disposed around the supply needle 29. For example, the direction Z side (upper side) or the gravity direction side opposite to the gravity direction of the supply needle 29 (Lower side) may be arranged.

  In the above embodiment, the first urging member 48 that urges the movable body 41 or the second urging member 38 that urges the movable member 31 is other than a coil spring such as a U-shaped leaf spring, for example. It may be a member.

  In the above embodiment, the number of ink cartridges 70 held in the cartridge holder 22 is not necessarily limited to four. Further, the position where the wide ink cartridge 70 </ b> W is held is not necessarily limited to the leftmost position in the cartridge holder 22.

  In the above embodiment, the mounting unit 20 may be configured to be provided outside the casing 11a of the printer 11. When ink is supplied from the mounting portion 20 provided outside the housing 11a to the liquid jet head 18 inside the housing 11a, an ink supply tube TB for supplying ink is provided from the outside of the housing 11a. Need to be routed to. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to provide a hole or a notch through which the ink supply tube TB can be inserted in the housing 11a. Alternatively, the ink supply tube TB may be routed from the outside to the inside of the housing 11a through a gap provided in the housing 11a. In this way, ink can be easily supplied to the liquid ejecting head 18 using the ink flow path of the ink supply tube TB.

  The liquid ejecting head 18 is not limited to a so-called serial head type that ejects ink by reciprocating with the carriage 16 in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P. That is, in the state where the length size is an overall shape corresponding to the width size of the paper P, and the longitudinal direction is fixedly arranged so as to be along the width direction intersecting the transport direction Y of the paper P, the longitudinal direction is substantially omitted. A so-called line head type that ejects liquid toward a medium from a large number of nozzles provided over the whole may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may be a liquid consuming device that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink. In addition, the state of the liquid ejected as a minute amount of liquid droplets from the liquid consuming device includes those that are tailed in a granular shape, a tear shape, or a thread shape. Moreover, the liquid here should just be a material which can be ejected from a liquid consumption apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ). Further, not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a substance in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent is included. Typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid consuming device include, 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, a color filter, or the like in a dispersed or dissolved state. There is a liquid consuming device that injects liquid. Moreover, the liquid consumption apparatus which injects the bioorganic matter used for biochip manufacture, the liquid consumption apparatus which injects the liquid used as a sample as a precision pipette, a textile printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, etc. may be sufficient. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid consumption devices that pinpoint lubricant oil to precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid consuming device that jets the liquid onto the substrate. Further, it may be a liquid consuming device that ejects an etchant such as acid or alkali in order to etch a substrate or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer (an example of liquid consumption apparatus), 20 ... Mounting part, 30 ... Circuit board, 52 ... Lever member (an example of a movable latching part), 60D ... Decompression chamber, 60F ... Filter chamber, 61, 61H ... 2nd Supply member, 61A, 61B, 61C ... convex portion, 66 ... filter, 70, 70W ... ink cartridge (an example of a liquid container), 70C ... convex portion, 70P ... projection portion, 70G ... groove portion, 73 ... case member, 75 ... through-hole forming part, 75H ... through-hole, 76 ... collar part (engaging part), 76A ... contact part, 80 ... ink container (an example of a liquid container), 81 ... first supply member (supply member), 81D, 81Da ... stepped portion, 81Fa ... lock mechanism, 81K ... liquid supply port, 81S ... member surface, 83 ... space, 84 ... communication port, 84S ... space, 85 ... cylindrical channel portion, 86 ... engaged portion 91 ... Pack body (container compartment) Example), CS1 ... first surface, CS2 ... second surface, CS3 ... third surface, CS4 ... fourth surface, CS5 ... fifth surface, CS6 ... sixth surface, G1, G2, H1, H2 ... gap, W1, W2... Width, R1... Region, R3, R4... Extension region, Yr... Insertion direction, Z.

Claims (10)

A liquid storage container having a liquid storage chamber capable of storing a liquid,
A storage chamber member constituting the liquid storage chamber;
A supply member provided with a liquid supply port for allowing the liquid to flow out from the liquid storage chamber to the outside while the storage chamber member is joined;
With
A space formed in the supply member by the supply member and the storage chamber member joined to the supply member is a liquid storage container that does not communicate with the liquid storage chamber but communicates with the atmosphere.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the supply member is provided with a communication port that allows the space to communicate with the atmosphere.   The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the communication port has a polygonal shape. The supply member is provided with a stepped portion,
The liquid container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the step portion forms at least a part of an edge of the communication port. The liquid container can be attached to a liquid consuming device that consumes the liquid,
In a state where the liquid container is attached to the liquid consumption device,
The liquid container according to claim 4, wherein the step portion is located on the gravity direction side of the communication port.   The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein a width along the vertical direction of the stepped portion is narrower than a width along the vertical direction of the communication port. The liquid container can be attached to a liquid consuming device that consumes the liquid,
In a state where the liquid container is attached to the consumption device,
The liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the communication port is located on the antigravity direction side of the liquid supply port. The liquid container can be inserted and installed in a liquid consuming device that consumes the liquid,
The liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the communication port is located on the supply member on a side in an insertion direction to the liquid consuming device.   A liquid container comprising the liquid container according to claim 1 in a case member. A liquid storage container including a liquid storage chamber formed by a supply member in which a liquid supply port for allowing liquid to flow out is formed and a film bonded to the supply member,
A space formed in the supply member by the supply member and the film bonded to the supply member is not connected to the liquid storage chamber, but is connected to the atmosphere.