JP6562705B2 - Liquid container and recording apparatus to which the liquid container is attached - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container and a recording apparatus to which the liquid container is attached.

  A liquid storage container such as an ink cartridge is attached to a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer. The liquid is supplied from the mounted liquid storage container to the liquid discharge head of the recording apparatus. In such a recording apparatus, characters, images, and the like are recorded by ejecting liquid from a liquid ejection head onto a recording medium.

  The liquid (ink) stored in the liquid storage chamber of the liquid storage container is required to have a constant concentration in the liquid storage chamber, but the concentration unevenness may occur in the liquid. In particular, in a liquid containing a pigment, there is a problem that the pigment tends to settle. When the pigment settles, a phenomenon occurs in which the concentration of the pigment is high on the lower side (bottom surface) and the concentration of the pigment is low on the upper side (upper surface). Here, in the configuration in which the liquid is led out from the bottom surface side of the liquid storage container, a case where the liquid storage container is stored in a constant posture (a state where the bottom surface is directed downward in the gravity direction) for a long time is considered. When the liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the recording head, the liquid that forms the layer having a high pigment particle concentration is supplied first, so that an image with a deep color is recorded. In addition, a difference in recording density may occur between a recorded image in the initial stage of use of the liquid container and a recorded image in the later stage of use. Such a phenomenon tends to be particularly prominent in color recording in which a color image is recorded based on color shading.

  In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 describes providing a pipe extending from the liquid outlet portion provided on the bottom surface side of the liquid storage chamber to the upper side in the gravity direction of the liquid storage chamber. The pipe is provided with a plurality of liquid inlets communicating with the liquid storage chamber at a plurality of positions in the gravity direction, and the liquid inlet located on the lower side in the gravity direction has a larger inflow resistance than the other liquid inlets. It is comprised so that it may become. With such a configuration, it is possible to take out an amount of liquid corresponding to the inflow resistance from a portion where the pigment particle concentration is high and a portion where the pigment particle concentration is low in the liquid storage chamber, and to derive the mixed liquid from the liquid storage container.

JP 2005-7855 A

  When air is introduced into the liquid storage chamber as the liquid is consumed, the gas-liquid interface is lowered by the introduction of air. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, among the liquid inlets provided in the pipe extending upward in the gravitational direction, the liquid inlets provided on the upper side in the gravity direction are sequentially communicated with the air above the gas-liquid interface. Therefore, depending on the liquid lead-out speed, from the liquid containing chamber through the pipe from the other liquid inlet communicating with air, rather than the inflow resistance into which the liquid flows into the pipe through the liquid inlet located on the lower side in the gravity direction. It is conceivable that the inflow resistance for deriving air is lower. In such a case, the liquid remains up to the height of the liquid inlet located at the lower side in the gravity direction of the liquid storage chamber, and air is not supplied from the liquid storage chamber in that portion regardless of the state of communication with the liquid. It may become a derived state. As a result, air may flow into the liquid discharge head, and it may be difficult to perform good discharge. In addition, since the air led out from the liquid storage chamber of the liquid storage container flows into the liquid discharge head, it may be determined that the liquid has run out even when the liquid remains in the liquid storage chamber. is there.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber of the liquid storage container communicate with each other through a plurality of liquid flow paths, and the positions of the openings that open to the liquid storage chambers of the plurality of liquid flow paths differ in the gravity direction. Even in this case, an object is to satisfactorily supply the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber to the liquid discharge head.

The above problems are solved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention is a recording apparatus having a liquid discharge head mounted with a liquid storage container for storing a liquid in a liquid storage chamber, wherein the liquid discharge head is mounted in the state where the liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus. And the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other by a first liquid channel and a second liquid channel formed inside the liquid chamber, and the liquid discharge head of the first liquid channel The opening on the side farther from the liquid and the opening on the side farther from the liquid ejection head of the second liquid channel open toward the inside of the liquid storage chamber , and the liquid ejection head in the first liquid channel The opening on the side farther from the second liquid channel is located above the opening on the side farther from the liquid ejection head of the second liquid channel in the gravitational direction, and the first liquid channel and the second liquid channel in a state where the interior in the gas-liquid interface is present, The gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is such that the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is located above the gas-liquid interface inside the second liquid channel in the direction of gravity. Is a recording apparatus characterized by being held by a meniscus force.

A liquid storage container that is mounted on a recording apparatus having a liquid discharge head and that stores the liquid in a liquid storage chamber, the first liquid supplying the liquid discharge head to the liquid storage chamber; A flow path and a second liquid flow path are formed, and the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber are the first liquid flow path, the second liquid flow path, and the second liquid flow path when mounted in the recording apparatus. The opening of the first liquid channel far from the liquid ejection head and the opening of the second liquid channel far from the liquid ejection head are directed toward the inside of the liquid storage chamber. The opening on the side of the first liquid channel far from the liquid ejection head is located above the opening of the second liquid channel on the side far from the liquid ejection head. cage, wherein the first liquid flow path and said second liquid In a state where the inside of the channel the gas-liquid interface exists, located in the direction of gravity above the inside of the gas-liquid interface of the first liquid flow path inside the gas-liquid interface and the second liquid flow path Thus, the liquid container is characterized in that the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is held by a meniscus force.

  According to the present invention, the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber of the liquid storage container communicate with each other through the plurality of liquid flow paths, and the positions of the openings that open to the liquid storage chambers of the plurality of liquid flow paths differ in the direction of gravity. Even in this case, the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber can be satisfactorily supplied to the liquid discharge head.

It is the exploded view and sectional drawing of a liquid container. It is a figure which shows a recording device and a liquid storage container. It is a figure which shows the mounting process to the recording device of a liquid container. It is sectional drawing of a liquid container It is a figure which shows the liquid flow path formed in the inside of a liquid storage container. It is a figure which shows the liquid flow path formed in the inside of a liquid storage container. It is a figure which shows the liquid flow path formed in the recording device.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  The internal structure of the liquid container will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the liquid container, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the liquid container. The casing of the liquid container has a first casing member 24 and a second casing member 25. The second housing member 25 functions as a lid member that closes the opening of the first housing member 24. The liquid storage container stores a liquid such as ink in the liquid storage chamber 7. The liquid storage chamber 7 is configured by an inner wall surface of the first housing member 24 and a flexible member 8 (flexible sheet) in close contact with the inner wall edge of the first housing member 24. It is a room that contains liquid in the space. The seal member unit 16 is a member that is fitted into a tube insertion path 18 provided in the first housing member 24. The seal member unit 16 includes a cylindrical seal member 15 that is provided with a slit that can be opened and closed at one end and the other end is open. The outer periphery 17 of the seal member 15 and the exterior 17 integrated with each other. When the seal member unit 16 is inserted into the tube insertion path 18, the opening at the other end constitutes the tube insertion port 5.

  Inside the liquid storage chamber 7, a negative pressure generating spring 9 as a negative pressure generating member and a plate member 10 that is slightly smaller than the inner wall circumference of the first housing member 24 are arranged. One end of the negative pressure generating spring 9 is engaged with the inner wall of the first housing member 24, and the other end of the negative pressure generating spring 9 is engaged with the plate member 10. The negative pressure generating spring 9 biases the flexible member 8 through the plate member 10 in the direction in which the liquid storage chamber 7 expands, thereby maintaining the inside of the liquid storage chamber 7 within a certain negative pressure range. When the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 7 decreases due to the supply of liquid to the liquid discharge head, the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 7 tends to increase, but the negative pressure generating spring 9 contracts, and the plate member 10 becomes liquid accordingly. An increase in negative pressure is suppressed by moving in the direction of reducing the internal volume of the storage chamber 7.

  A space (non-liquid storage space) between the liquid storage chamber 7 and the second housing member 25 is a communication path (not shown) and an atmospheric opening (not shown) provided on the rear wall of the liquid storage container 1. And communicates with the outside of the liquid storage container 1. Specifically, the rear wall of the liquid storage container 1 is provided with a meandering groove (not shown). One end of the groove communicates with the non-liquid storage space and the other end communicates with the atmospheric opening. doing. And the label 20 is stuck so that this serpentine groove may be covered, and the groove | channel covered with the label 20 functions as a communicating path which connects the said non-liquid accommodation space and air | atmosphere opening. When the plate member 10 tries to move in the direction of reducing the internal volume of the liquid storage chamber 7, the space (non-liquid storage space) between the liquid storage chamber 7 and the second housing member 25 is communicated from the atmosphere opening to the communication path. The atmosphere is taken in via

  The liquid is supplied by the movement of the plate member 10, but when the consumption of the liquid further proceeds, the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 7 reaches the meniscus force of the filter 11 or more. As a result, as described above, air is introduced from the atmosphere communication passage 12 through the filter 11 into the liquid storage chamber 7. Thereafter, air is introduced into the liquid storage chamber 7 from the atmosphere communication passage 12 as much as the liquid is supplied. Therefore, the negative pressure inside the liquid storage chamber 7 is maintained within a certain range, and a negative pressure is required. The increase is suppressed.

  Next, the mounting state of the liquid container 1 in the mounting portion 23 of the recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. When the liquid container 1 is inserted into the mounting portion 23 in the y direction, the tube insertion port sealing film 14 is opened by the tip of the liquid receiving tube 27 and the liquid receiving tube 27 is inserted into the tube insertion port 5. The Next, the positioning pin 28 is inserted into the positioning hole 3 and the two position restricting surfaces 6 are sandwiched between the two positioning walls 31, thereby suppressing the positional deviation. Next, the air communication port sealing film 13 is opened by the opening pin 26 inserted into the through-hole 21, and the opening pin 26 is inserted into the air communication port 4. Next, the liquid receiving tube 27 is inserted into the slit of the seal member 15 provided in the tube insertion path 18 so that the liquid storage chamber 7 and the liquid receiving tube 27 communicate with each other. Next, the electrical contact 2 contacts the electrical connection portion 30. Finally, when the liquid storage container is pushed to a position where the locking portion 19 engages with the locking protrusion 29 of the locking lever 32, the liquid storage container 1 is fixed and mounting is completed as shown in FIG. It becomes a state. In this way, the liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus.

  The mounting unit 23 is a part of the recording apparatus, and the recording apparatus has a liquid discharge head 22. The liquid storage chamber 7 and the liquid receiving tube 27 communicate with each other by the liquid, so that the liquid inside the liquid storing chamber 7 is supplied to the liquid discharge head 22 via the liquid receiving tube 27.

  Next, the plurality of liquid channels will be described. 4A to 4D show that the liquid 37 in the liquid storage chamber 7 inside the liquid storage container discharges liquid from the liquid discharge head in a state where the liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus. It shows how it decreases. The interface between the liquid 37 and the air 38 shown in FIG. 4 is a gas-liquid interface. A first liquid channel 34 and a second liquid channel 35 are formed in the liquid storage chamber 7 of the liquid storage container 1.

  FIG. 4A shows a state immediately after the liquid container 1 is attached to the attachment portion 23 and the liquid receiving tube 27 and the tube insertion path 18 are connected. The liquid discharge head and the liquid container are in communication with each other through the first liquid channel 34 and the second liquid channel 35.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows an enlarged view of the first liquid channel 34 and the second liquid channel 35. The first liquid channel 34 has an opening 34a on the side close to the liquid ejection head and an opening 34b on the side far from the liquid ejection head. The second liquid flow path 35 has an opening 35a on the side close to the liquid discharge head and an opening 35b on the side far from the liquid discharge head. In FIG. 6, the first liquid channel 34 and the second liquid channel 35 are formed inside the liquid storage chamber 7. Accordingly, both the opening 34 a near the liquid ejection head of the first liquid flow path 34 and the opening 34 b far from the liquid ejection head are formed inside the liquid storage chamber 7. Similarly, the opening 35 a near the liquid ejection head of the second liquid channel 35 and the opening 35 b far from the liquid ejection head are both formed inside the liquid storage chamber 7.

The opening 34b on the side of the first liquid channel 34 that is far from the liquid ejection head is located above the opening 35b on the side of the second liquid channel 35 that is far from the liquid ejection head. The first liquid channel 34 and the second liquid channel 35 merge on the downstream side of the opening 34a and the opening 35a in the liquid supply direction. As the liquid, a liquid containing a pigment (for example, pigment ink) is assumed. From each of the first liquid flow path 34 and the second liquid flow path 35, the liquid 37 having the respective pigment particle concentration in the liquid storage chamber 7 flows into the inflow resistance R _{O of} the first liquid flow path 34 and the second liquid flow path 34. It is in response to the inverse ratio of the inflow resistance R _s of the liquid flow path 35 led into the tube insertion path. Thereafter, the liquids 37 having the respective pigment particle concentrations are mixed in the process until they are supplied from the tube insertion path 18 to the liquid discharge unit, and the liquid 37 mixed at a certain ratio is supplied to the liquid discharge head. That is, since the opening 34b of the first liquid flow path 34 and the opening 35b of the second liquid flow path 35 are in the positional relationship as described above, the pigment settles in the liquid 37 in the liquid storage chamber 7. In addition, the liquid 37 having a pigment particle concentration within a certain range can be supplied.

  In consideration of the exhaustion of the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber 7, the opening 35b of the second liquid channel 35 is preferably formed at a position close to the bottom surface, which is the lower surface in the gravity direction of the liquid storage chamber. . That is, the opening 35b is preferably formed adjacent to the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber.

  When the liquid 37 is consumed and the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 7 reaches or exceeds the meniscus force of the filter 11, the air on the air communication path side breaks the meniscus of the filter 11 and is introduced into the liquid storage chamber 7. Thereafter, air is introduced into the liquid storage chamber 7 as much as the liquid 37 is consumed, and therefore the interface (gas-liquid interface) between the liquid 37 and the air 38 in the liquid storage chamber 7 accompanies the consumption of the liquid 37. Gradually move downward in the direction of gravity. When the liquid is consumed from the state of FIG. 4A, the state of FIG. 4B and then the state of FIG. 4C are obtained.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram in which the liquid 37 is consumed and the gas-liquid interface in the liquid storage chamber 7 is at the position of the opening 34b of the first liquid flow path.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion may be formed in the opening 34 a of the first liquid channel 34 so that the width of the first liquid channel is narrowed. When the protrusion is formed, this portion is referred to as a meniscus forming portion 36. In addition, here, the first liquid channel 34, the second liquid channel 35, and the meniscus forming portion 36 are flexible on a substantially groove-shaped open surface formed integrally with the first housing member 24. The example formed by sealing with the member 8 is shown.

In the state of FIG. 4C, the gas-liquid interface 34 c of the first liquid channel 34 is located below the gas-liquid interface 35 c of the second liquid channel 35 in the gravity direction. As the liquid is used, the gas-liquid interface 34c and the gas-liquid interface 35c are in the state shown in FIG. 4D while maintaining this positional relationship. In FIG. 4D, the gas-liquid interface 34c reaches the opening 34a. FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of FIG. At this time, the gas-liquid interface generates a certain meniscus force at the meniscus forming portion 36. The meniscus force of the liquid 37 formed on the meniscus forming portion 36 is the groove width (in the direction of FIG. 5a) of the first housing member 24 constituting the meniscus forming portion 36, the surface tension of the liquid 37, the liquid 37 and the first housing. It is determined by the contact angle between the body members 24. At this time, the meniscus formation part 36 is comprised so that the following formula | equation may be satisfy | filled. In addition, let the part in which the gas-liquid interface inside the 1st liquid flow path is formed be a meniscus formation part.
H ≧ h ₁ + h ₂
(In the above formula, H = P _m / ρg, h ₁ = P _s / ρg, h ₂ are communication portions between the meniscus forming portion, the opening of the second liquid channel, and the inside of the liquid storage chamber) Where P _m is the meniscus force generated in the meniscus formation portion, ρ is the density of the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber, g is the gravitational acceleration, P _s is the pressure loss of the second liquid flow path at the maximum liquid flow rate when the liquid container is used.

  That is, it is preferable that the portion where the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid flow path held by the meniscus force is formed is formed so as to satisfy the above formula.

  On the other hand, in the state where the first liquid channel 34 communicates with the liquid in the liquid storage chamber 7, the pigment particle concentrations derived through the second liquid channel 35 and the first liquid channel 34, respectively. The ratio of the high and low liquid amounts depends on the inverse ratio of the inflow resistance of each flow path. Further, the meniscus force of the meniscus forming portion 36 is determined by the width of the groove of the first housing member 24. Therefore, by changing the groove depth (b direction in FIG. 5) and the channel length (c direction in FIG. 5) with respect to the groove width capable of generating a predetermined meniscus force, the liquid pigment The mixing ratio of the liquid having a high pigment particle concentration and the liquid having a low pigment particle concentration can be changed according to the difference in the particle concentration gradient. For example, when increasing the mixing ratio of a liquid having a low pigment particle concentration, the groove depth is increased. In addition, even if a plurality of meniscus forming portions 36 exist in parallel with the liquid flow in the first liquid flow path 34 when supplying the liquid to the liquid discharge head, the inflow of the first liquid flow path 34 can be achieved. Resistance can be reduced.

  Although the liquid containing the pigment has been described as the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, the liquid is not limited to this. For example, the problem of sedimentation may occur even in a liquid containing emulsion particles, and the problem of component unevenness in the liquid may also occur in a liquid containing a dye.

  Although an example in which a protrusion is formed as the meniscus forming portion has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a filter may be formed inside the first liquid channel, and the filter may be used as a meniscus forming portion. In this case, the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is held by the meniscus force at the filter portion. In addition, a form in which the width of the first liquid channel is narrowed without forming protrusions may be used. For example, an example as shown in FIG. In this case, in FIG. 5, the width in the a direction is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. Further, the width in the b direction is preferably set to 6.5 mm or more and 8.0 mm or less. The width in the c direction is preferably 0.4 mm or more and 0.9 mm or less.

  In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6C, the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is positioned above the gas-liquid interface inside the second liquid channel in the gravity direction. The gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is held by the meniscus force. As a result, the liquid can be used up well. Further, in the state where the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other through the second liquid channel, that is, in the state of FIGS. 4A to 4D, the inside of the first liquid channel. It is preferable that the gas-liquid interface is held by a meniscus force. While the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other through the second liquid channel, the liquid-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is held by the meniscus force. Use up can be further improved.

  Eventually, air is introduced from the opening 35b of the second liquid channel 35 far from the liquid ejection head into the opening 35a of the second liquid channel 35 closer to the liquid ejection head. As a result, air is introduced from the opening 34b of the first liquid channel 34 far from the liquid ejection head into the opening 34a of the first liquid channel 34 near the liquid ejection head, that is, the first liquid. Air is preferably introduced from the flow path 34 to the liquid ejection head. When the gas-liquid interface is held by the meniscus force in the opening 34a, the meniscus in the opening 34a is not maintained by the air flowing through the second liquid channel 35. By doing in this way, the liquid can be used up well.

  In addition, the following configuration is also preferable. That is, finally, air is introduced from the opening 35b of the second liquid channel 35 far from the liquid ejection head into the opening 35a of the second liquid channel 35 closer to the liquid ejection head. Furthermore, air is introduced into the tube insertion path 18 and the liquid receiving tube 27 via the first liquid channel 34 and the second liquid channel 35. By doing in this way, the liquid can be used up well.

  The gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel may be formed at any part inside the first liquid channel, but is close to the liquid discharge head of the first liquid channel as described above. It is preferably formed in the side opening 34a. By forming in the opening 34a, the liquid can be used up well.

  The first liquid flow path 34 and the second liquid flow path 35 communicate with the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber, and may be anything that opens to the liquid storage chamber 7. That is, it does not have to be formed inside the liquid storage chamber 7, and may be formed on the recording apparatus side, for example, the mounting portion 23 of the recording apparatus, as shown in FIG. In this case, the opening 34 b far from the liquid ejection head of the first liquid channel 34 and the opening 35 b far from the liquid ejection head of the second liquid channel 35 are opened in the liquid storage chamber 7. become.

Claims (18)

A recording apparatus equipped with a liquid storage container for storing liquid in a liquid storage chamber and having a liquid discharge head,
In a state where the liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus, the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber include a first liquid flow path and a second liquid flow path formed inside the liquid storage chamber. The opening of the first liquid channel far from the liquid ejection head and the opening of the second liquid channel far from the liquid ejection head are located inside the liquid storage chamber . The opening on the side farther from the liquid ejection head of the first liquid channel is located above the opening of the second liquid channel farther from the liquid ejection head than in the gravity direction. In the state where the gas-liquid interface exists inside the first liquid channel and the second liquid channel, the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is the second liquid channel. To be located above the gas-liquid interface inside the liquid flow path in the gravity direction Recording apparatus whose serial gas-liquid interface within the first liquid flow path, characterized in that it is held by the meniscus force.   2. The opening of the second liquid channel is adjacent to a bottom surface that is a lower surface in the gravity direction of the liquid storage chamber in a state where the liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus. The recording device described.   While the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other via the second liquid channel, the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is held by a meniscus force. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel held by the meniscus force is formed in an opening of the first liquid channel close to the liquid ejection head. 5. The recording apparatus according to any one of the above. Air is introduced from the opening of the second liquid channel farther from the liquid ejection head into the opening of the second liquid channel closer to the liquid ejection head, whereby the first liquid flow the recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 air to the liquid ejection head from the road is introduced. A protrusion is formed in the first liquid flow path so that the width of the first liquid flow path is narrow, and the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid flow path is a portion of the protrusion. in recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is held by the meniscus force. The inside of the first liquid flow path and the filter is formed, the gas-liquid interface of the inside of the first liquid flow path of claims 1 to 5 is held by the meniscus force at the portion of the filter The recording apparatus according to any one of the above. The meniscus forming portion is a portion that gas-liquid interface is formed within the first liquid flow path, according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is formed so as to satisfy the following formula Recording device.
H ≧ h ₁ + h ₂
(In the above formula, H = P _m / ρg, h ₁ = P _s / ρg, h ₂ are communication portions between the meniscus forming portion, the opening of the second liquid channel, and the inside of the liquid storage chamber) Where P _m is the meniscus force generated in the meniscus formation portion, ρ is the density of the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber, g is the gravitational acceleration, P _s is the pressure loss of the second liquid flow path at the maximum liquid flow rate when the liquid container is used. The liquid is a recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 which is a liquid containing a pigment. A liquid storage container that is mounted on a recording apparatus having a liquid discharge head and stores liquid in a liquid storage chamber,
A first liquid channel and a second liquid channel for supplying liquid to the liquid discharge head are formed inside the liquid storage chamber,
In a state of being mounted on the recording apparatus, the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other through a first liquid channel and a second liquid channel, The opening on the side far from the liquid ejection head and the opening on the side far from the liquid ejection head of the second liquid channel open toward the inside of the liquid storage chamber , and the opening of the first liquid channel The opening farther from the liquid ejection head is positioned above the second liquid flow path in the gravity direction than the opening farther from the liquid ejection head, and the first liquid flow path and the second liquid flow path In a state where a gas-liquid interface exists inside the flow path, the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid flow path is positioned above the gas-liquid interface inside the second liquid flow path in the gravity direction. Thus, the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid flow path is caused by the meniscus force. Liquid container, characterized in that it is held Te. 11. The liquid container according to claim 10 , wherein the opening of the second liquid channel is adjacent to a bottom surface that is a lower surface in the gravity direction of the liquid chamber in a state of being attached to the recording apparatus. . While the liquid discharge head and the liquid storage chamber communicate with each other via the second liquid channel, the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid channel is held by a meniscus force. The liquid container according to claim 10 or 11 . Internal gas-liquid interface of the first liquid flow path which is held by the meniscus force, the first of claims 10 to 12 to the liquid discharge head of the liquid flow path is formed near the side of the opening The liquid container according to any one of the above. Air is introduced from the opening of the second liquid channel farther from the liquid ejection head into the opening of the second liquid channel closer to the liquid ejection head, whereby the first liquid flow The liquid container according to any one of claims 10 to 13 , wherein air is introduced into the liquid discharge head from a path. A protrusion is formed in the first liquid flow path so that the width of the first liquid flow path is narrow, and the gas-liquid interface inside the first liquid flow path is a portion of the protrusion. The liquid container according to claim 10 , wherein the liquid container is held by a meniscus force. The inside of the first liquid flow path and the filter is formed, the first internal liquid flow path gas-liquid interface of the claims 10 to 14 is held by the meniscus force at the portion of the filter The liquid container according to any one of the above. The meniscus forming portion is a portion that gas-liquid interface is formed within the first liquid flow path, according to any one of claims 10 to 16 are formed so as to satisfy the following formula Liquid container.
H ≧ h ₁ + h ₂
(In the above formula, H = P _m / ρg, h ₁ = P _s / ρg, h ₂ are communication portions between the meniscus forming portion, the opening of the second liquid channel, and the inside of the liquid storage chamber) Where P _m is the meniscus force generated in the meniscus formation portion, ρ is the density of the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber, g is the gravitational acceleration, P _s is the pressure loss of the second liquid flow path at the maximum liquid flow rate when the liquid container is used. The liquid container according to claim 10 , wherein the liquid is a liquid containing a pigment.

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