JP6825337B2 - Ink container, printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink container capable of containing ink and a printer provided with the ink container.

Conventionally, there is an inkjet printer that prints on a medium by ejecting ink supplied from an ink container capable of accommodating ink from an ink injection head. Further, among such ink containers, there is an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to a printer (for example, Patent Document 1).

This ink cartridge can be reused by replenishing the used ink cartridge with which the ink has been consumed. Specifically, the ink cartridge is formed with an ink injection hole and an air vent hole. Then, the ink injection needle (ink injection flow path portion) and the air bleeding nozzle provided in the ink bottle containing the ink for replenishment are inserted into the ink injection hole and the air bleeding hole, respectively, so that the ink is inserted through the ink injection needle. Was being replenished.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-1883836

By the way, when the ink passage (ink passage) for inflowing ink and the air passage for bleeding air are separated and the air is evacuated by the amount of the inflowing ink, the gas-liquid exchange is performed in the ink passage in the thick ink passage. This may result in unstable ink inflow.

However, it has been difficult to manufacture a hollow needle-shaped ink injection needle that forms a narrow ink passage integrally with an ink bottle or an ink cartridge.
It should be noted that these problems are not limited to ink cartridges that can be replenished with ink and printers to which ink cartridges can be detachably attached, but are generally common to printers that have an ink container that can replenish ink and a printer that has an ink container. It has become.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink container and a printer provided with an ink container capable of easily manufacturing an elongated ink injection path portion capable of gas-liquid exchange. is there.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems and their actions and effects will be described.
The ink container that solves the above problems includes an ink storage chamber that can store ink to be supplied to the ink injection head, a first end portion that opens to the outside of the ink storage chamber, and a first portion that opens inside the ink storage chamber. An ink injection flow path portion that connects two ends and can inject the ink into the ink storage chamber is provided, and at least a part of the ink injection flow path portion has a groove defined by a flow path wall. It is formed by being sealed with a film attached to the flow path wall.

According to this configuration, at least a part of the ink injection flow path portion is formed by sealing the groove with a film. Therefore, by defining the depth and width of the groove, the thickness of the ink injection flow path portion can be defined. Can be specified. Therefore, an elongated ink injection flow path portion capable of exchanging gas and liquid can be easily manufactured.

In the ink container, the ink injection flow path portion preferably has a plurality of ink flow paths connecting the first end portion and the second end portion.
According to this configuration, since the ink injection flow path portion has a plurality of ink flow paths, at least one ink flow path can be a flow path for discharging air. Therefore, since the ink flow path for flowing ink into the ink storage chamber and the flow path for discharging air from the ink storage chamber can be separated, ink can be stably supplied to the ink storage chamber.

In the ink container, at least one ink flow path among the plurality of ink flow paths has a first flow path portion and a second flow path portion having a cross-sectional area larger than that of the first flow path portion. Is preferable.

For example, when inflowing ink into an ink storage chamber, the pressure of ink pushing air in a plurality of ink flow paths and the pressure of air pushing ink may be balanced. Then, the ink may stay in these ink flow paths and the ink may not flow into the ink storage chamber. In that respect, according to this configuration, since at least one ink flow path has a first flow path portion having a small cross-sectional area and a second flow path portion having a large cross-sectional area, the pressure of air and ink Can be out of balance. Therefore, the plurality of ink flow paths can be easily separated into a flow path through which air is discharged and a flow path through which ink flows.

In the ink container, the second ends of the plurality of ink flow paths are preferably located at equal heights in the ink container.
According to this configuration, since the heights of the second end portions of the plurality of ink flow paths are the same, the ink injection flow path portions can be easily manufactured as compared with the case where the heights of the second end portions are different.

In the ink container, the second end side of the ink injection flow path portion is located in the upper space of the ink storage chamber, and is formed so as to project downward from the top wall that partitions the ink storage chamber. It is preferable to have.

In the ink storage chamber, ink collects in the lower part, and the upper part becomes an air space. Therefore, according to this configuration, the ink injection flow path portion is projected from the top wall and the second end portion is positioned in the upper space of the ink storage chamber, so that the air in the ink storage chamber is passed through the ink injection flow path portion. Can be easily discharged.

The ink container has a top wall and a side wall that define the ink storage chamber, and the side wall extending in a direction intersecting the top wall is erected vertically in a used state and stores the ink from the outside. The visible surface has a visible surface on which the ink in the room can be visually recognized, and the visible surface is provided with an upper limit display unit indicating an upper limit of the amount of ink to be replenished. It is preferable that the unit is located at a position corresponding to the upper limit display unit in the vertical direction.

According to this configuration, when ink is replenished in the ink storage chamber, the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber rises due to the inflowing ink. Then, when the liquid level reaches the upper limit display portion, the second end portion of the ink injection flow path portion is blocked by the ink, and air does not enter the ink injection flow path portion from the second end portion. Therefore, the replenishment of ink to the ink storage chamber can be stopped at the position corresponding to the upper limit display unit.

It is preferable that the ink container further includes a buffer chamber provided along the ink injection flow path portion and a communication portion for communicating the buffer chamber and the ink storage chamber.

According to this configuration, since the buffer chamber is provided along the ink injection flow path portion, the ink injection flow path portion can be reinforced by the buffer chamber. Therefore, the risk of damage to the ink injection flow path portion can be reduced.

The ink container further includes an air communication unit that allows the buffer chamber to communicate with the atmosphere, and in the used state of the ink container, the communication unit is located above the second end portion of the ink container. It is preferable to communicate with.

For example, when the ink containing chamber is sealed, the air may expand due to the influence of temperature change or the like to push the liquid level of the ink, and the ink may be pushed out from the ink containing chamber. In that respect, according to this configuration, the buffer chamber communicates with the atmosphere through the air communication portion, and the ink storage chamber and the buffer chamber are communicated with each other by a communication portion that opens above the second end portion. Therefore, even when the ink is stored up to the height of the second end in the ink storage chamber, the possibility that the ink is pushed out from the ink storage chamber can be reduced.

In the state of use of the ink container, the space above the second end portion in the ink storage chamber is divided into a first upper space and a second upper space by the ink injection flow path portion. It is preferable to further provide a communication passage which is divided and communicates the first upper space and the second upper space.

According to this configuration, even when the upper space in the ink storage chamber is divided into the first upper space and the second upper space by the ink injection flow path portion, the first upper space and the second upper space communicate with each other by the communication passage. The space can be communicated with the buffer chamber.

In the ink container, the volume of the space above the second end of the ink container is preferably larger than the volume of the ink injection flow path in the state of use of the ink container.

When an ink bottle containing ink for replenishment is connected to the ink injection flow path to inject ink into the ink storage chamber, the ink blocks the second end of the ink injection flow path and the second end. When the air does not enter from the ink bottle, the inflow of ink from the ink bottle to the ink storage chamber is stopped. Then, when the connection between the ink bottle and the ink injection flow path portion is released, atmospheric pressure is applied to the ink remaining in the ink injection flow path portion, and the ink flows into the ink storage chamber. In that respect, according to this configuration, since the volume of the space above the ink storage chamber is larger than the volume of the ink injection flow path portion, even if the ink remaining in the ink injection flow path portion flows into the ink storage chamber. , The risk of ink flowing into the buffer chamber can be reduced.

In the ink container, the buffer chamber is preferably formed by sealing a buffer recess having one open surface with the film.
According to this configuration, the buffer chamber and the ink injection flow path portion can be formed by sealing the buffer recess and the groove with a film, so that the ink container can be easily manufactured.

In the ink container, the film is a first film that seals a part of the groove to form a part of the ink injection flow path portion and the ink injection by sealing a part of the groove. The ink accommodating chamber has a second film forming the second end portion of the flow path portion, and the ink accommodating chamber is formed by sealing a concave portion for the accommodating chamber having one open surface by the second film. It is preferable that the ink is used.

According to this configuration, the ink storage chamber and the second end portion of the ink injection flow path portion can be formed by sealing the recess and the groove for the storage chamber with the second film. Therefore, the ink container can be easily manufactured.

The ink container is located at a position lower than the first end portion in the state of use of the ink container, and stores the ink that has flowed down from the first end portion to the outside of the ink injection flow path portion. The storage portion is further provided with a top wall defining the ink storage chamber, a storage wall erected above the top wall and partially open on the side, and a side of the storage wall. It is preferably defined by the film that seals the opening facing the surface and opens upward.

According to this configuration, the ink that has leaked to the outside of the ink injection flow path portion can be stored in the storage portion, so that the possibility that the ink spreads around the ink container can be reduced. Then, such a storage portion can be easily formed by using a film that seals the ink injection flow path portion.

A printer that solves the above problems is provided in the ink container having the above configuration, the ink injection head that ejects the ink, a housing that houses the ink container and the ink injection head, and the housing. The operation panel includes a display unit, and the ink container is arranged so that at least a part thereof is located at the same height as the operation panel, and the ink injection flow path portion. In the injection state in which ink is injected into the ink storage chamber via the ink, the first end portion of the ink injection flow path portion is located above the display portion.

According to this configuration, since the first end portion is located above the display unit, the first end portion and the display unit are located at the same height or the first end portion is located below the display unit. The injection operation of injecting ink from the first end portion into the ink injection flow path portion can be facilitated.

The ink container further includes a buffer chamber provided in the middle of an atmospheric communication passage for communicating the ink storage chamber with the atmosphere, and the buffer chamber includes the atmospheric communication passage and the buffer chamber on the ink storage chamber side. It is preferable to have a wall for guiding the ink from the connection port toward the center of the buffer chamber.

According to this configuration, when the ink flows into the buffer chamber, the ink is guided toward the center of the buffer chamber. Therefore, since the ink can be retained in the buffer chamber, the possibility that the ink leaks to the outside through the atmospheric passage can be reduced, and the risk that the periphery of the ink container is contaminated with the ink can be reduced.

The perspective view of the multifunction device provided with the printer of 1st Embodiment. A perspective view of a multifunction device showing how ink is replenished to an ink container. Front view of the multifunction device with the housing of the tank unit omitted. A perspective view of the first ink container as viewed from the right side. A perspective view of the first ink container as viewed from the left side. Right side view of the first ink container. The left side view of the first ink container. Top view of the first ink container. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10. A perspective view of the second ink container as viewed from the right side. A perspective view of the second ink container as viewed from the left side. Right side view of the second ink container. The left side view of the second ink container. The front view of the ink containing body included in the printer of 2nd Embodiment. The left side view of the first ink container. The left side view of the second ink container. Right side view of the first ink container. Right side view of the second ink container. A perspective view of the first ink container as viewed from the left side. A perspective view of the second ink container as viewed from the left side. A perspective view of the first ink container as viewed from the right side. A perspective view of the second ink container as viewed from the right side. Partial side view of the ink container whose posture has been changed. Left side view of the ink container of the modified example. Right side view of the ink container of the modified example. A perspective view of the ink container of the modified example as viewed from the left side. A rear view of the ink container of the modified example and a schematic view of the ink injection head. A perspective view of the ink container of the modified example as viewed from the right side. A perspective view of a modified example multifunction device.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the printer will be described with reference to the drawings. The printer of the present embodiment prints (records) characters, images, and the like on the medium by injecting ink onto a medium such as paper.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 11 includes a printer 12 and an image reading device 13 arranged on the printer 12 and covering the upper side of the printer 12, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

In the present embodiment, the anti-gravity direction is referred to as an upward direction, and the gravity direction is referred to as a downward direction. Then, in FIG. 1, assuming that the compound machine 11 is placed on the horizontal plane, the directions along the upward and downward directions are shown as the vertical direction Z, and the directions along the horizontal plane are shown as the width direction X and the depth direction Y. That is, the width direction X, the depth direction Y, and the vertical direction Z intersect each other (preferably orthogonally). Further, one end side in the depth direction Y is called the front side or the front side, the other end side opposite to the one end side is called the back side or the rear side, and one end side in the width direction X seen from the front side is the right side and the other end side. Sometimes it's on the left side.

On the front side of the printer 12, there is an operation panel 17 having an operation unit 15 such as a button for performing various operations of the multifunction device 11 and a display unit 16 for displaying information of the printer 12 and the multifunction device 11. It is provided. Further, on the right side of the operation panel 17, an accommodating body unit 19 for accommodating at least one (five in this embodiment) ink accommodating body 18 (see FIG. 3) is provided. The ink container 18 is provided in the housing 20 of the printer 12, and the housing 20 is formed with at least one (five in this embodiment) window portion 21 corresponding to each ink container 18. Has been done.

Further, the housing 20 includes a printing unit 23 for printing by adhering ink to a medium (not shown), a tube for supplying the ink contained in the ink container 18 to the printing unit 23, and the like. A unit 24 is provided. The printing unit 23 includes an ink injection head 25 that ejects ink from a nozzle (not shown), and a carriage 26 that holds the ink injection head 25 and can reciprocate along the width direction X (scanning direction). There is. Then, the printing unit 23 prints on the medium by injecting ink from the moving ink injection head 25 toward the medium.

As described above, the housing 20 is provided with the operation panel 17, and the ink container 18, the supply unit 24, the ink injection head 25, the carriage 26, and the like are housed in the housing 20. A plurality of supply units 24 of the present embodiment are provided individually corresponding to the ink accommodating body 18, but only one is shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of simplification of the figure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading device 13 is attached via a rotating mechanism 28 such as a hinge provided on the back surface side. The image reading device 13 can be opened and closed with respect to the printer 12, and rotates between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position shown in FIG. Then, when the image reading device 13 is positioned in the open position, the cover 29 of the housing unit 19 and the cap 30 attached to the ink housing 18 (see FIG. 3) can be opened and closed. When replenishing the ink container 18, as shown in FIG. 2, the image reading device 13, the cover 29, and the cap 30 are positioned at the open positions, and the ink bottle 31 containing the replenishing ink is inked. Connect to the containment body 18.

Next, a configuration for attaching the ink container 18 to the printer 12 and an arrangement of the ink container 18 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the housing unit 19 includes a mounting portion 33 to which the ink housing 18 can be mounted. A first ink container 18A and a second ink container 18B having different amounts of ink that can be stored are mounted side by side in the width direction X on the mounting portion 33. Each ink container 18 contains different types of ink (for example, colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and colorants such as pigments and dyes).

In the present embodiment, one first ink container 18A for black, which has a large capacity, is provided on the operation panel 17 side, and a second ink container 18B for color, which has a smaller capacity than the first ink container 18A. Are provided in four. It should be noted that the configurations of the second ink accommodating bodies 18B provided in plurality are the same, and the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to the first ink accommodating body 18A and the second ink accommodating body 18B, so that duplicate explanations are omitted. To do.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ink container 18 is formed with a claw portion 34 that engages with the mounting portion 33 and a screwed portion 36 into which the mounting screw 35 is screwed. Further, the mounting portion 33 is formed with a locking portion 37 for locking the mounting screw 35 (only one is shown in FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 3, the ink container 18 is screwed into the screwed portion 36 while the mounting screw 35 is locked to the locking portion 37 in a state where the claw portion 34 is engaged with the mounting portion 33. As a result, it is fixed to the mounting portion 33. In this way, the ink container 18 is arranged so that at least a part thereof is located at the same height as the operation panel 17.

The ink container 18 is fixed to the mounting portion 33 so that the printer 12 can be used, and the ink storage chamber 39 is connected to the ink bottle 31 and the ink is injected. Ink is injected into 40. In this injection state, the first end 39a of the ink injection flow path 39 is located above the operation unit 15 and the display unit 16.

Next, the configuration of the first ink container 18A will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first ink accommodating body 18A includes an ink accommodating chamber 40 capable of accommodating ink to be supplied to the ink injection head 25, and at least one provided above the ink accommodating chamber 40 ( In this embodiment, three) buffer chambers 41a to 41c are provided. Further, the first ink container 18A is located at a position lower than the first end 39a of the ink injection flow path 39 in the state of use of the first ink container 18A, and ink is injected from the first end 39a. A storage unit 42 for storing the ink that has flowed down to the outside of the flow path unit 39 is provided.

The first buffer chamber 41a and the second buffer chamber 41b are provided on at least one side (both sides in the present embodiment) of the ink injection flow path portion 39 in the depth direction Y so as to be along the ink injection flow path portion 39. Further, the ink injection flow path portion 39 connects the first end portion 39a that opens to the outside of the ink storage chamber 40 and the second end portion 39b that opens to the inside of the ink storage chamber 40, and enters the ink storage chamber 40. Ink can be injected.

The first ink container 18A has at least one (three in this embodiment) buffer recess 43 having one surface (right surface) open, and a storage chamber recess 43 having one surface (left surface) open. 44 and a housing case 45 with. The buffer chambers 41a to 41c are formed by sealing the buffer recess 43 with a first film 46a, which is an example of a film. Further, the ink storage chamber 40 is formed by sealing the storage chamber recess 44 with a second film 46b, which is an example of a film.

The storage unit 42 includes a top wall 47 that defines the ink storage chamber 40, storage walls 48a to 48c that are erected above the top wall 47 and have a part (left side) open on the side, and storage walls 48a to 48a. It is defined by a second film 46b that seals an opening facing the side (left side) of 48c, and is formed so as to open upward. That is, the storage walls 48a to 48c are composed of a first storage wall 48a located in the front, a second storage wall 48b located on the right side, and a third storage wall 48c located in the rear. Further, the third storage wall 48c partitions the storage unit 42 and the first buffer chamber 41a.

Next, the buffer chambers 41a to 41c will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first ink container 18A is provided in the first buffer chamber 41a provided on the front side of the ink injection flow path portion 39 and on the rear side of the ink injection flow path portion 39. A second buffer chamber 41b and a third buffer chamber 41c are provided. Further, the first ink container 18A includes an air communication unit 50 that communicates the third buffer chamber 41c with the atmosphere.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first ink container 18A communicates with the communication portion 51 that communicates the lower end of the first buffer chamber 41a and the upper end of the ink storage chamber 40 and the buffer chambers 41a to 41c with each other. The connection portions 52a to 52c are provided so as to be connected. The communication portion 51 communicates with the ink accommodating chamber 40 at a position above the second end portion 39b of the ink injection flow path portion 39 in the state of use of the first ink accommodating body 18A.

The first connection portion 52a connects the first buffer chamber 41a and the second buffer chamber 41b. Further, the second connection portion 52b connects the second buffer chamber 41b and the third buffer chamber 41c. The third connecting portion 52c is formed in a narrow, meandering shape, and connects the third buffer chamber 41c and the atmospheric communication portion 50.

Specifically, the first connection portion 52a is formed in the first through hole 53a formed above the communication portion 51 in the lower portion of the first buffer chamber 41a and in the lower end portion of the second buffer chamber 41b. It connects with the second through hole 53b. Further, the second connection portion 52b is formed at a third through hole 53c formed above the second through hole 53b in the lower portion of the second buffer chamber 41b and at a lower end portion of the third buffer chamber 41c. 4 Connects to the through hole 53d.

The through holes 53a to 53d are formed so as to penetrate the left wall 54 that defines the buffer chambers 41a to 41c. The first connection portion 52a and the second connection portion 52b are provided on the outer surface (left surface) of the left wall 54, and are formed by a groove portion that opens toward the left and a second film 46b that seals the groove portion. It is formed. Further, the third connecting portion 52c is formed by a groove portion that opens to the right and a first film 46a that seals the groove portion.

Therefore, the ink storage chamber 40 passes through the communication portion 51, the first buffer chamber 41a, the first connection portion 52a, the second buffer chamber 41b, the second connection portion 52b, the third buffer chamber 41c, and the third connection portion 52c. It communicates with the atmospheric communication unit 50.

Next, the ink storage chamber 40 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first ink container 18A has a top wall 47 defining the ink storage chamber 40, a bottom wall 56 facing the top wall 47 in the vertical direction Z, a top wall 47, and a bottom wall 56. It has a front wall 57, a rear wall 58, and a right wall 59 that intersect with. A side wall of the ink storage chamber 40 is formed by the front wall 57, the rear wall 58, and the right wall 59. That is, the side wall is provided so as to extend in the direction intersecting the top wall 47, and is erected in the vertical direction Z in the used state. Then, the ink storage chamber 40 and the buffer chambers 41a to 41c are partitioned by the top wall 47 of the ink storage chamber 40. Further, a part of the right wall 59 and the front wall 57 are formed by extending upward from the ink storage chamber 40, and the parts above the top wall 47 are the first storage wall 48a and the second storage wall 48b. ing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the housing case 45 constituting the first ink housing 18A is made of transparent or translucent resin, and the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 40 can be visually recognized from the outside. Is. Then, in the front wall 57 (an example of the side wall), the region corresponding to the window portion 21 (see FIG. 1) of the housing 20 functions as a visible surface 61 in which the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 can be visually recognized from the outside. There is. The visual viewing surface 61 is provided with a lower limit display unit 62 indicating a guideline for replenishing the ink storage chamber 40 with ink, and an upper limit display unit 63 indicating a guideline for the upper limit of the amount of ink replenished. The visual recognition surface 61 is provided along the vertical direction Z in the state of use of the first ink container 18A. The storage portion 42 is located between the first end portion 39a of the ink injection flow path portion 39 and the viewing surface 61 in the depth direction Y and the vertical direction Z.

Further, the upper limit display unit 63 does not have to be provided in the first ink container 18A. For example, in the housing 20 of the printer 12, the window portion 21 facing the viewing surface 61 may be formed as a wall through which light is transmitted by a transparent or translucent member, and the upper limit display portion 63 may be provided on the window portion 21. It is also possible not to provide the upper limit display unit 63. That is, when the ink is injected up to the second end 39b at the time of ink injection, the ink injection is automatically stopped, so that the ink can be injected without checking the upper limit display unit 63.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the top wall 47 is provided with an ink out-drawing unit 65 to which a supply unit 24 (see FIG. 1) is connected and ink is taken out. Further, the bottom wall 56 is formed so as to be inclined so that the front wall 57 side is higher in the depth direction Y. In the bottom wall 56, a concave filter mounting portion 66 is formed at a position on the rear wall 58 side, which is on the low slope side. The first ink container 18A includes an ink lead-out path 67 connected to the ink lead-out portion 65 via a filter (not shown) of the filter mounting portion 66. A filter is provided in the filter mounting portion 66, for example, by heat welding. Then, when the ink contained in the ink storage chamber 40 is consumed in the ink injection head 25, the ink passes through the ink lead-out path 67, the ink lead-out section 65, and the supply section 24 via the filter of the filter mounting section 66. Is supplied to the printing unit 23.

At least one (one in this embodiment) vertical rib portion 68 is formed in the ink storage chamber 40 at a position below the ink injection flow path portion 39. The vertical rib portion 68 is formed with a gap between the top wall 47 and the bottom wall 56 in the vertical direction Z. Further, in the depth direction Y, at least one (three in this embodiment) intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c intersecting the bottom wall 56 are located between the vertical rib portion 68 and the ink lead-out portion 65. It is provided. The intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c project upward from the bottom wall 56 at a distance from each other in the depth direction Y. Further, the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c are provided so as to extend along the width direction X.

The intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c have different protrusion heights upward from the bottom wall 56. That is, among the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c, the protruding height of the first intersecting rib portion 69a located on the ink lead-out portion 65 side is the largest. Further, the protruding height of the second intersecting rib portion 69b is larger than the protruding height of the third intersecting rib portion 69c. In other words, the distance between the second crossing rib portion 69b and the top wall 47 is wider than the distance between the first crossing rib portion 69a and the top wall 47, and narrower than the distance between the third crossing rib portion 69c and the top wall 47. ..

Further, on both the front and rear sides of the vertical rib portion 68 and on the front side of the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c, the width in the depth direction Y gradually increases from the opening side of the accommodation chamber recess 44 toward the right wall 59 side. An extending portion 70 having a substantially right-angled triangular shape when viewed from above is formed orthogonal to the right wall 59.

In the width direction X, the width of the vertical rib portion 68 and the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c is substantially equal to the width of the accommodating chamber recess 44. Therefore, when the second film 46b is adhered to the recess 44 for the storage chamber, the second film 46b is also adhered to the adhesive surfaces on the left ends of the vertical rib portions 68 and the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c. Further, the lower ends of the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c are formed as recesses from the adhesive surface toward the right wall 59 side. Therefore, when the second film 46b is adhered to the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c, the recessed portions of the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c communicate with the regions on both sides of the intersecting rib portions 69a to 69c in the depth direction Y.

Further, first projecting portions 71a projecting upward from the bottom wall 56 are formed at positions on both sides of the vertical rib portion 68 in the depth direction Y. Further, a second protruding portion 71b that protrudes downward from the top wall 47 is formed at a position between the vertical rib portion 68 and the ink lead-out portion 65. The first protrusion 71a and the second protrusion 71b are substantially right-angled triangles in front view so that the width in the vertical direction Z gradually narrows from the right wall 59 toward the opening side (left side) of the accommodation chamber recess 44. It has a shape.

Next, the ink injection flow path portion 39 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second end 39b side of the ink injection flow path portion 39 is located in the upper space of the ink storage chamber 40, and is formed to protrude downward from the top wall 47 that partitions the ink storage chamber 40. Has been done. That is, in the state of use of the first ink container 18A, the first end 39a of the ink injection flow path 39 is located above the second end 39b (vertically above in this embodiment). The first end 39a is located above the top wall 47, and the second end 39b is located below the top wall 47. The upper space of the ink storage chamber 40 is a space above the center of the ink storage chamber 40, and is the upper end of the vertical rib portion 68, the upper end of the first intersecting rib portion 69a, and the lower end of the second protruding portion 71b. Of these, the space above at least one.

The ink injection flow path portion 39 has a tubular portion 73 provided along the vertical direction Z, and at least connects the first end portion 39a and the second end portion 39b, which are the tips (upper ends) of the tubular portion 73. It has one (plurality in the present embodiment) first ink flow path 74a and a second ink flow path 74b. The tubular portion 73 is provided so as to project upward from the upper surface 75 of the first ink container 18A that intersects the third storage wall 48c.

The second end 39b of the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b are located at equal heights in the ink storage chamber 40. The ink injection flow path portion 39 is located at a position where the second end portion 39b corresponds to the upper limit display portion 63 in the vertical direction Z. Specifically, the second end portion 39b is located at the same height as the upper limit display unit 63 in the vertical direction Z, or near the upper limit display unit 63.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the cylindrical tubular portion 73, a first flow path wall 76a along the width direction X and the vertical direction Z is provided at the central position in the depth direction Y. The first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b have substantially the same horizontal cross-sectional area in the tubular portion 73.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first flow path wall 76a that partitions the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b is continuous from the first end portion 39a to the second end portion 39b. It is provided. Further, at positions on both sides of the first flow path wall 76a in the depth direction Y, a second flow path wall 76b that separates the first buffer chamber 41a and the ink injection flow path portion 39, a second buffer chamber 41b, and ink A third flow path wall 76c for partitioning the injection flow path portion 39 is provided. That is, in the present embodiment, the groove 77 connected from the tubular portion 73 by a pair of flow path walls (first flow path wall 76a and second flow path wall 76b, first flow path wall 76a and third flow path wall 76c). Is defined. Further, in the present embodiment, two grooves 77 along the vertical direction Z are provided side by side in the depth direction Y.

At least a part of the ink injection flow path portion 39 is composed of the flow path walls 76a to 76c and the first film 46a and the second film 46b attached to the flow path walls 76a to 76c, and the groove 77 is formed as the first film. It is formed by sealing with 46a and a second film 46b. Specifically, the grooves 77 are opened on both sides in the width direction X, and the first film 46a is one of the grooves 77 which is a portion formed between the first buffer chamber 41a and the second buffer chamber 41b. By sealing the portion, a part of the ink injection flow path portion 39 is formed. Further, the second film 46b seals a part of the groove 77, which is a part formed in the recess 44 for the storage chamber, so that a part of the ink injection flow path portion 39 and the second end portion 39b can be separated from each other. Form.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the used state of the first ink container 18A, the space above the second end 39b in the ink storage chamber 40 becomes the first upper space 78a on the front side by the ink injection flow path 39. , It is divided into a second upper space 78b on the rear side. That is, the ink storage chamber 40 is provided with a first upper space 78a and a second upper space 78b with the ink injection flow path portion 39 interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first ink container 18A includes a communication passage 79 for communicating the first upper space 78a and the second upper space 78b. That is, the communication passage 79 communicates with the first communication hole 80a and the second communication hole 80b formed so as to penetrate the right wall 59 of the ink storage chamber 40, and has a groove portion that opens to the right. It is formed by a first film 46a that seals the groove portion. The first communication hole 80a opens in the first upper space 78a where the communication portion 51 opens, and the second communication hole 80b is on the side opposite to the first upper space 78a with the ink injection flow path portion 39 interposed therebetween. It opens in the second upper space 78b where it is located.

In the used state of the first ink container 18A, the volume of the space above the second end 39b in the ink storage chamber 40 is larger than the volume of the ink injection flow path 39. That is, the total volume of the first upper space 78a and the second upper space 78b is larger than the total volume of the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second ink flow path 74b has a first flow path portion 81a and a second flow path portion 81b having a larger horizontal cross-sectional area than the first flow path portion 81a. That is, at least one ink flow path among the plurality of ink flow paths has a first flow path portion 81a and a second flow path portion 81b. In the present embodiment, the depths of the grooves 77 of the first flow path portion 81a and the second flow path portion 81b are different, and the depth of the groove 77 of the second flow path portion 81b is the groove 77 of the first flow path portion 81a. Deeper than the depth of. Further, in the vertical direction Z, the first flow path portion 81a is located above the second flow path portion 81b, and the length of the first flow path portion 81a is longer than the length of the second flow path portion 81b. ..

As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end of the second flow path portion 81b is located above the storage walls 48a to 48c and above the atmospheric communication portion 50 and the ink lead-out portion 65. Further, the upper end of the second flow path portion 81b is located above the communication portion 51, the first connection portion 52a, the second connection portion 52b, and the through holes 53a to 53d, and is below the upper end of the buffer chambers 41a to 41c. Located in.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first ink flow path 74a includes the first flow path portion 81a and the second flow path of the second ink flow path 74b among the grooves 77 sealed by the first film 46a. The depth of the portion corresponding to the portion 81b is the same. In the first ink flow path 74a, a portion having the same horizontal cross-sectional area as the horizontal cross-sectional area of the first flow path portion 81a in the second ink flow path 74b is referred to as the first flow path portion 81a. .. In other words, in the second ink flow path 74b, the portion where the horizontal cross-sectional area at the same position in the vertical direction Z is different from that of the first ink flow path 74a is the second flow path portion 81b.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b, the upper portion (the side connected to the cylinder portion 73) of the first flow path portion 81a is the ink receiving portion. As the 82, the cross-sectional area in the horizontal direction is formed to be larger than that of the first flow path portion 81a. The bottom surface of the ink receiving portion 82 is formed so as to be inclined downward, so that ink can be easily drawn into the subsequent first flow path portion 81a.

Next, the second ink container 18B will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the second ink container 18B connects at least one (nine in this embodiment) buffer chambers 41a to 41i, the buffer chambers 41a to 41i, and the air communication unit 50. 52a to 52g of connecting portions are provided. The first buffer chamber 41a to the fourth buffer chamber 41d, the seventh buffer chamber 41g, and the ninth buffer chamber 41i are formed by sealing the buffer recess 43 opening to the right with the first film 46a. Has been done. Further, the fifth buffer chamber 41e, the sixth buffer chamber 41f, and the eighth buffer chamber 41h are formed by sealing the buffer recess 43 that opens to the left with the second film 46b. Further, the atmospheric communication portion 50 is located above the top wall 47 and is formed above the third buffer chamber 41c.

The third connection portion 52c connects the third buffer chamber 41c and the fourth buffer chamber 41d. The fourth connection portion 52d connects the fourth buffer chamber 41d and the fifth buffer chamber 41e. The fifth connection portion 52e connects the fifth buffer chamber 41e and the sixth buffer chamber 41f. The sixth connection portion 52f connects the sixth buffer chamber 41f and the seventh buffer chamber 41g. The seventh connecting portion 52g connects the ninth buffer chamber 41i and the atmospheric communication portion 50.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the left wall 54 is formed with third through holes 53c to tenth through holes 53j. Specifically, a third through hole 53c is formed in the second buffer chamber 41b, a fourth through hole 53d and a fifth through hole 53e are formed in the third buffer chamber 41c, and a fourth buffer chamber 41d is formed. A sixth through hole 53f is formed in the hole. Further, a seventh through hole 53g is formed in the fifth buffer chamber 41e, and an eighth through hole 53h is formed in the sixth buffer chamber 41f. The 7th buffer chamber 41g, the 9th buffer chamber 41i, and the 8th buffer chamber 41h are provided with the left wall 54 interposed therebetween, and the 9th through hole 53i formed in the 7th buffer chamber 41g and the 9th buffer The tenth through hole 53j formed in the chamber 41i also opens in the eighth buffer chamber 41h. Further, the eighth buffer chamber 41h is provided with a gas-liquid separation membrane (not shown) that allows gas to permeate and does not allow ink to permeate.

The first connection portion 52a, the fourth connection portion 52d, the sixth connection portion 52f, and the seventh connection portion 52g are formed by a groove portion that opens to the right and a first film 46a that seals the groove portion. ing. Further, the second connection portion 52b, the third connection portion 52c, and the fifth connection portion 52e are formed by a groove portion that opens toward the left and a second film 46b that seals the groove portion.

Further, a notch 84 is formed at the lower end of the partition wall 83 that partitions the second buffer chamber 41b and the third buffer chamber 41c. That is, in a state where the first film 46a is adhered to the partition wall 83, the second buffer chamber 41b and the third buffer chamber 41c are formed on the second connection portion 52b formed on the left wall 54 side and the partition wall 83. It communicates with the cutout portion 84.

Next, the configuration of the second ink container 18B in the ink storage chamber 40 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the communication passage 79 that communicates the first upper space 78a and the second upper space 78b of the ink storage chamber 40 is the upper end of the first upper space 78a and the upper end of the second upper space 78b. A groove portion that is connected to and opens to the left is sealed by a second film 46b.

Next, the operation when the ink bottle 31 is connected to the ink injection flow path portion 39 and the ink contained in the ink bottle 31 is replenished to the ink storage chamber 40 will be described. The action of replenishing the ink in the first ink container 18A and the second ink container 18B is the same.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the ink bottle 31 is connected to the tubular portion 73 on the side of the first end portion 39a of the ink injection flow path portion 39, the ink passes through the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b. It flows so as to descend toward the ink storage chamber 40 side. Then, the air in the ink storage chamber 40 is pushed by the ink to increase the pressure.

The ink flowing through the first ink flow path 74a flows into the ink storage chamber 40. On the other hand, the ink flowing through the second ink flow path 74b is pushed by the air pressure in the ink storage chamber 40 at an intermediate position of the second ink flow path 74b and stops falling. Then, the ink in the second ink flow path 74b is pushed back to the ink bottle 31 by the air pressure in the ink accommodating chamber 40 into which the ink has flowed. For example, the ink flowing through the second ink flow path 74b descends from the first flow path portion 81a, stops falling at the boundary with the second flow path portion 81b, and pushes back the first flow path portion 81a.

As a result, the first ink flow path 74a becomes a flow path for ink to flow from the ink bottle 31 into the ink storage chamber 40, and the second ink flow path 74b causes the air in the ink storage chamber 40 to flow into the ink bottle 31. It becomes a flow path. That is, between the ink bottle 31 and the ink container 18, the air in the ink storage chamber 40 flows into the ink bottle 31 by the amount of the ink injected from the ink bottle 31 into the ink storage chamber 40, so-called gas-liquid exchange. Is done.

Then, when the liquid level of the ink rises to the second end portion 39b and the second end portion 39b of the second ink flow path 74b is blocked by the ink, air is supplied to the ink bottle 31 via the second ink flow path 74b. Will not flow in. Then, the pressure applied to the liquid surface of the ink in the ink bottle 31 decreases, and the inflow of ink from the ink bottle 31 into the ink storage chamber 40 is stopped.

When the ink bottle 31 is removed from the ink injection flow path portion 39, atmospheric pressure is applied to the ink in the first ink flow path 74a. Therefore, the ink in the first ink flow path 74a flows into the ink storage chamber 40, and the heights of the ink liquid levels are aligned in the ink injection flow path portion 39 and the ink storage chamber 40.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since at least a part of the ink injection flow path portion 39 is formed by sealing the groove 77 with the first film 46a and the second film 46b, the depth and width of the groove 77 can be defined. The thickness of the ink injection flow path portion 39 can be specified. Therefore, the elongated ink injection flow path portion 39 capable of exchanging gas and liquid can be easily manufactured.

(2) Since the ink injection flow path portion 39 has a plurality of ink flow paths 74a and 74b, at least one ink flow path can be a flow path for discharging air. Therefore, since the ink flow path for flowing ink into the ink storage chamber 40 and the flow path for discharging air from the ink storage chamber 40 can be separated, the ink can be stably replenished in the ink storage chamber 40.

(3) For example, when ink is flowed into the ink storage chamber 40, the pressure at which the ink pushes air in the plurality of ink flow paths 74a and 74b may be balanced with the pressure at which the air pushes the ink. Then, the ink may stay in these ink flow paths 74a and 74b, and the ink may not flow into the ink storage chamber 40. In that respect, since the second ink flow path 74b has a first flow path portion 81a having a small cross-sectional area and a second flow path portion 81b having a large cross-sectional area, the balance between the pressures of air and ink is lost. be able to. Therefore, the plurality of ink flow paths 74a and 74b can be easily separated into a flow path through which air is discharged and a flow path through which ink flows.

(4) Since the heights of the second end portions 39b of the plurality of ink flow paths 74a and 74b are the same, the ink injection flow path portion 39 can be easily manufactured as compared with the case where the heights of the second end portions 39b are different.
(5) In the ink storage chamber 40, ink is accumulated in the lower part, and the upper part is an air space. Therefore, by projecting the ink injection flow path portion 39 from the top wall 47 and locating the second end portion 39b in the upper space of the ink storage chamber 40, the inside of the ink storage chamber 40 passes through the ink injection flow path portion 39. It can make it easier to exhaust air.

(6) When the ink is replenished in the ink storage chamber 40, the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 40 rises due to the inflowing ink. When the liquid level reaches the upper limit display unit 63, the second end 39b of the ink injection flow path 39 is blocked by the ink, and air does not enter the ink injection flow path 39 from the second end 39b. .. Therefore, the supply of ink to the ink storage chamber 40 can be stopped at a position corresponding to the upper limit display unit 63.

(7) Since the first buffer chamber 41a and the second buffer chamber 41b are provided along the ink injection flow path portion 39, the ink injection flow path portion 39 can be reinforced by the buffer chambers 41a and 41b. Therefore, the risk of damage to the ink injection flow path portion 39 can be reduced.

(8) For example, when the ink containing chamber 40 is sealed, the air may expand due to the influence of a temperature change or the like to push the liquid surface of the ink and push out the ink from the ink containing chamber 40. In that respect, the buffer chambers 41a to 41i communicate with the atmosphere by the air communication portion 50, and the ink storage chamber 40 and the first buffer chamber 41a communicate with each other by the communication portion 51 which opens above the second end portion 39b. Has been done. Therefore, even when the ink is stored up to the height of the second end 39b in the ink storage chamber 40, the possibility that the ink is pushed out from the ink storage chamber 40 can be reduced.

(9) Even when the upper space in the ink storage chamber 40 is divided into the first upper space 78a and the second upper space 78b by the ink injection flow path portion 39, the first upper space 78a communicating with the communication passage 79 The second upper space 78b can be communicated with the first buffer chamber 41a.

(10) When an ink bottle 31 containing ink for replenishment is connected to the ink injection flow path portion 39 to inject ink into the ink storage chamber 40, the second end portion 39b of the ink injection flow path portion 39 is affected by the ink. When the ink is blocked and no air can enter from the second end 39b, the inflow of ink from the ink bottle 31 into the ink storage chamber 40 is stopped. Then, when the connection between the ink bottle 31 and the ink injection flow path portion 39 is released, atmospheric pressure is applied to the ink remaining in the ink injection flow path portion 39, and the ink flows into the ink storage chamber 40. In that respect, since the volume of the space above the ink storage chamber 40 is larger than the volume of the ink injection flow path portion 39, even if the ink remaining in the ink injection flow path portion 39 flows into the ink storage chamber 40, the first The risk of ink flowing into the buffer chamber 41a can be reduced.

(11) By sealing the recess 43 for the buffer and the groove 77 with the first film 46a, the buffer chambers 41a to 41c (in the second ink container 18B, the buffer chambers 41a to 41d, 41g, 41h) and the ink are injected. Since the flow path portion 39 can be formed, the ink container 18 can be easily manufactured.

(12) By sealing the recess 44 for the storage chamber and the groove 77 with the second film 46b, the ink storage chamber 40 and the second end portion 39b of the ink injection flow path portion 39 can be formed. Therefore, the ink container 18 can be easily manufactured.

(13) Since the ink that has leaked to the outside of the ink injection flow path portion 39 can be stored in the storage portion 42, the possibility that the ink spreads around the ink container 18 can be reduced. Then, such a storage portion 42 can be easily formed by using the second film 46b that seals the ink injection flow path portion 39.

(14) Since the first end portion 39a is located above the display unit 16, the case where the first end portion 39a and the display unit 16 are at the same height or the first end portion 39a is located below the display unit 16. In comparison with the above, it is possible to facilitate the injection operation of injecting ink from the first end portion 39a into the ink injection flow path portion 39.

(15) Since the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b are formed side by side, the ink injection flow path is compared with the case where the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b are formed separately. The strength of the portion 39 can be increased.

(16) Since the ink injection flow path portion 39 is formed so as to protrude from the top wall 47 of the ink storage chamber 40, there is a space between the second end portion 39b and the top wall 47 in the ink storage chamber 40. Can be formed.

(17) The first buffer chamber 41a and the second buffer chamber 41b can be formed by effectively utilizing the space beside the ink injection flow path portion 39 by providing the first buffer chamber 41a and the second buffer chamber 41b along the ink injection flow path portion 39. Further, since the buffer chambers 41a to 41i are provided, the ink flowing out from the ink accommodating chamber 40 can be accommodated in the buffer chambers 41a to 41i, and the possibility of ink leaking from the ink accommodating body 18 can be reduced.

(18) Since the second ink container 18B is provided with the second connecting portion 52b and the notch portion 84 connecting the second buffer chamber 41b and the third buffer chamber 41c on different surfaces, the ink is a third buffer. Even if the ink has flowed into the chamber 41c, the ink can be easily returned to the second buffer chamber 41b.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the printer will be described with reference to the drawings. In this second embodiment, the shape of a part of the ink container 18 is different from that in the first embodiment. Since it is almost the same as the first embodiment in other respects, duplicate description will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the same configurations.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first ink container 18A and the second ink container 18B have a visible surface 61 that can be visually recognized through the window portion 21 (see FIG. 1). That is, the front wall 57, which is an example of the second wall, defines the ink storage chamber 40 and functions as a visible wall in which the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 can be visually recognized from outside the ink storage chamber 40.

The visual viewing surface 61 is provided with at least one scale 89 (three in FIG. 15) between the lower limit display unit 62 and the upper limit display unit 63. When a plurality of scales 89 are provided, it is preferable to provide the scales 89 at equal intervals including the lower limit display unit 62 and the upper limit display unit 63. Further, the lower limit display unit 62, the upper limit display unit 63, and the scale 89 provided on the first ink container 18A are formed so as to deviate from the center line A passing through the center of the cylinder portion 73 in the width direction X. preferable. The center line A is also a line passing through the center of the screwed portion 36.

The inner surface of the front wall 57 on the ink storage chamber 40 side is treated with a hydrophobic treatment. For example, a silicon-based water repellent is applied to the inner surface of the front wall 57. As a result, the ink adhering to the front wall 57 can be easily drawn, and the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 40 can be easily visually recognized.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the communication portion 51 formed in the ink storage chamber 40 is formed in a tubular shape. Further, the tubular communication portion 51 is preferably formed at a position away from the top wall 47 and the second flow path wall 76b. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that ink will flow into the communication portion 51 along the edges of the top wall 47 and the second flow path wall 76b.

Further, the eighth through hole 53h formed in the sixth buffer chamber 41f is formed in a tubular shape. Further, the tubular eighth through hole 53h is preferably formed away from the wall of the sixth buffer chamber 41f. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that ink will flow into the eighth through hole 53h along the edge of the wall of the sixth buffer chamber 41f.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the first buffer chamber 41a is provided with a partition wall 90 that separates the communication portion 51 and the first connection portion 52a. The partition wall 90 is formed in the first buffer chamber 41a so as to extend upward from the lower end where the communication portion 51 is formed. The upper end of the partition wall 90 is located below the upper end of the first buffer chamber 41a. Therefore, a part of the first buffer chamber 41a functions as a flow path connecting from the communication portion 51, and gas-liquid exchange due to vibration can be less likely to occur.

The tubular portion 73 has an opening (injection port) into which ink can be injected into the ink accommodating chamber 40, and is formed on the tubular portion forming wall 75a which is an example of the first wall defining the upper end of the ink accommodating body 18. .. Further, the tubular portion forming wall 75a is provided with an atmospheric communication portion 50 that communicates the inside of the ink storage chamber 40 with the atmosphere.

It is preferable that the air communication portion 50 and the cylinder portion 73 project in the same direction (upward direction) from the cylinder portion forming wall 75a. By forming the air communication portion 50 and the cylinder portion 73 on the cylinder portion forming wall 75a, it is possible to easily perform a ventilation inspection in which one of the cylinder portion 73 and the air communication portion 50 is closed and the air is ventilated from the other. .. This ventilation inspection is an inspection for confirming whether or not there is a leak in the ink storage chamber 40, the air communication passage 93 connecting the ink storage chamber 40 and the air communication portion 50, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the storage section 42 includes a storage bottom wall 48d provided above the top wall 47 and a first storage wall 48a to a third storage wall erected above the storage bottom wall 48d. The storage bottom wall 48d, which is defined by 48c and the second film 46b, separates the storage portion 42 and the second connection portion 52b.

A plurality of (two in the present embodiment) first corner portion 91 and second corner portion 92 are provided between the front wall 57 and the tubular portion forming wall 75a. In other words, the tubular portion forming wall 75a and the front wall 57 are connected via the first corner portion 91 and the second corner portion 92.

Specifically, the front wall 57 is provided along the vertical direction Z and defines the front end of the ink container 18. The tubular portion forming wall 75a is provided along the depth direction Y intersecting the vertical direction Z. The front wall 57 is located on the front side and the lower side of the tubular portion forming wall 75a, and the tubular portion forming wall 75a is located on the rear side and the upper side of the front wall 57. That is, the upper end of the front wall 57 on the tubular portion forming wall 75a side is located below the tubular portion forming wall 75a, and the front end of the tubular portion forming wall 75a on the front wall 57 side is behind the front wall 57. Located on the side.

The front end of the tubular portion forming wall 75a is the first corner portion 91, and the upper end of the front wall 57 is the second corner portion 92. Therefore, the first corner portion 91 is an angle at which the tubular portion forming wall 75a and the third storage wall 48c intersect. The second corner portion 92 is a corner of the storage portion 42. The first corner portion 91 and the second corner portion 92 are located at positions where the depth direction Y and the vertical direction Z are different.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, the ink container 18 includes an air communication passage 93 that communicates the ink storage chamber with the atmosphere. In the atmospheric communication passage 93 of the present embodiment, the communication portion 51, the first buffer chamber 41a to the ninth buffer chamber 41i, the first connection portion 52a to the seventh connection portion 52g, the third through hole 53c to the tenth through hole 53j, It is composed of a notch portion 84 and an atmospheric communication portion 50.

A fourth buffer chamber 41d is provided in the middle of the atmospheric passage 93. The atmospheric passage 93 has a first atmospheric passage 93a on the ink storage chamber 40 side of the fourth buffer chamber 41d and a second atmospheric passage 93b on the atmospheric side of the fourth buffer chamber 41d. ing. The fourth buffer chamber 41d is defined by a left wall 54, a lower wall 94, a rear side wall 95, a front side wall 96, an upper wall 97, and a first film 46a.

The first atmospheric communication passage 93a includes a communication portion 51, a first buffer chamber 41a to a third buffer chamber 41c, a first connection portion 52a to a third connection portion 52c, a third through hole 53c to a sixth through hole 53f, and a notch. It is composed of 84. The first atmospheric passage 93a is connected to the fourth buffer chamber 41d by the sixth through hole 53f, which is an example of the connection port with the fourth buffer chamber 41d. That is, the first atmospheric communication passage 93a is connected to the left wall 54 of the fourth buffer chamber 41d at a position closer to the front side wall 96 and the lower wall 94.

The second air communication passage 93b is composed of a fifth buffer chamber 41e to a ninth buffer chamber 41i, a fourth connection portion 52d to a seventh connection portion 52g, a seventh through hole 53g to a tenth through hole 53j, and an air communication portion 50. Has been done. The second atmospheric communication passage 93b is connected to the lower wall 94 at a position closer to the rear side wall 95 away from the front side wall 96 than the sixth through hole 53f.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the rear side wall 95 is located on the front side wall 96 side of the one end (lower end) side that intersects the lower wall 94 with respect to the other end (upper end) side that intersects the upper wall 97. It intersects the lower wall 94 diagonally. That is, the rear side wall 95 has a slanted wall 95a that diagonally intersects the lower wall 94, a vertical wall 95b that intersects the upper wall 97, and a horizontal wall 95c that is located between the slanted wall 95a and the vertical wall 95b. doing.

Therefore, the inclined wall 95a defining the fourth buffer chamber 41d is ink in the direction from the sixth through hole 53f, which is the connection port between the first atmospheric passage 93a and the fourth buffer chamber 41d, toward the center of the fourth buffer chamber 41d. It functions as a wall to guide the. The width of the inclined wall 95a in the depth direction Y of the fourth buffer chamber 41d is wider toward the center of the fourth buffer chamber 41d than the width of the lower side toward the second atmospheric passage 93b. It is inclined like. That is, the inclined wall 95a is provided so as to be inclined so as to be separated from the front side wall 96 as the distance from the lower wall 94 is increased.

Next, the operation of the ink container 18 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 24, the posture of the ink container 18 may be changed, for example, when the multifunction device 11 is moved. At this time, when the ink flows into the fourth buffer chamber 41d from the sixth through hole 53f, the ink flows in the direction away from the fourth connecting portion 52d along the inclined wall 95a of the rear side wall 95. Further, the ink is stored in the space defined by the vertical wall 95b, the horizontal wall 95c, the upper wall 97, the left wall 54, and the first film 46a.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (18) of the first embodiment.
(19) When the ink flows into the fourth buffer chamber 41d, the ink is guided toward the center of the fourth buffer chamber 41d. Therefore, the ink can be retained in the fourth buffer chamber 41d, and the possibility that the ink leaks to the outside through the atmospheric communication passage 93 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the periphery of the ink container 18 is stained with ink.

(20) Since the inclined wall 95a is provided so as to be inclined toward the central portion side of the fourth buffer chamber 41d, it is possible to suppress the flow of ink to the fourth connecting portion 52d. Therefore, the buffer function of the fourth buffer chamber 41d can be effectively utilized.

(21) Since the ink can be guided by the inclined wall 95a defining the fourth buffer chamber 41d, the ink container 18 is provided as compared with the case where the wall defining the fourth buffer chamber 41d and the wall for guiding the ink are separately provided. Easy to manufacture.

(22) Since the tubular portion forming wall 75a and the front wall 57 are connected via the first corner portion 91 and the second corner portion 92, even if ink leaks around the tubular portion 73, it leaks. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink will flow to the visible surface 61 and reduce the visibility, and reduce the possibility that the periphery of the ink container 18 will be stained with the ink.

(23) Since the air communication portion 50 and the cylinder portion 73 are provided on the cylinder portion forming wall 75a, a ventilation inspection in which one of the openings of the air communication portion 50 and the cylinder portion 73 is closed and the other is ventilated. Can be easily performed.

The above embodiment may be changed as in the modification shown below. Moreover, the said embodiment and the following modified example may be arbitrarily combined.
-As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the atmospheric communication portion 50 may be formed so as to extend along the depth direction Y.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, a plurality of (two in this modification) ink lead-out units 65 may be provided for one ink container 18. Different supply units 24 are connected to the two ink lead-out units 65. Further, the ink injection head 25 includes a nozzle row 86 that is larger than the number of ink containers 18 provided in the printer 12. Then, the supply unit 24 connects one ink lead-out unit 65 and one nozzle row 86.

As shown in FIG. 29, an absorbing portion 87 capable of absorbing ink may be provided around the tubular portion 73 of the ink container 18. The absorption portion 87 may be provided so as to extend from the upper surface 75 on which the tubular portion 73 is formed to the storage portion 42 side.

As shown in FIG. 29, a locking portion 37 for locking the mounting screw 35 is provided on the ink container 18, and a screwed portion on which the mounting screw 35 is screwed is provided on the mounting portion 33 on which the ink container 18 is mounted. You may.

As shown in FIG. 30, the window portion 21 may be provided on the decorative panel 99 attached to the front surface of the housing 20. That is, in the decorative panel 99, the portion facing the viewing surface 61 may be transparently formed to form the window portion 21 (transparent window). In this case, at least one of the lower limit display unit 62, the upper limit display unit 63, and the scale 89 may be formed on the window portion 21 (transparent window) of the decorative panel 99. When it is difficult to see the ink through the transparent window, the through hole through which the decorative panel 99 and the housing 20 penetrate is used as the window portion 21, and as shown in FIG. 15, the lower limit display portion 62 is provided on the ink container 18. At least one of the upper limit display unit 63 and the scale 89 may be formed. When the through hole is the window portion 21, the front wall 57 of the ink container 18 can be directly visually recognized, so that the amount of ink can be easily visually recognized as compared with the case where the transparent window is the window portion 21.

The tubular portion forming wall 75a and the front wall 57 may be connected via three or more corner portions.
A slanted wall 95a may be provided in the fourth buffer chamber 41d separately from the rear side wall 95 that defines the fourth buffer chamber 41d.

-The inclined wall 95a that guides the ink does not have to be tilted. That is, the rear side wall 95 may intersect perpendicular to the lower wall 94. Then, the rear side wall 95 may guide ink by forming a groove or adjusting hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity.

-The ink injection flow path portion 39 does not have to include the cylinder portion 73. For example, the ink injection flow path portion 39 may be formed by sealing the grooves formed from the first end portion 39a to the second end portion 39b with a film. That is, the first end portion 39a may be formed by a groove and a film.

The operation panel 17 may include a touch panel capable of displaying and operating as the display unit 16.
In the ink container 18, the first end portion 39a may be located below the display portion 16.

-The ink container 18 does not have to include the storage unit 42. Further, the storage portion 42 may be formed by sealing the openings formed in two of the lateral directions (for example, right side and left side) with the first film 46a and the second film 46b.

The buffer recess 43 and the storage chamber recess 44 may be opened in the same direction. Then, the buffer recess 43 and the storage chamber recess 44 may be sealed with one film. Further, the ink injection flow path portion 39 may be formed by sealing the grooves formed in one direction with one film.

The total volume of the first upper space 78a and the second upper space 78b may be larger than the volume of one of the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b. The total volume of the first upper space 78a and the second upper space 78b is preferably larger than the volume of the first ink flow path 74a, which is the ink flow path.

-The ink injection flow path portion 39 may be provided at the end of the ink storage chamber 40. That is, the upper space in the ink storage chamber 40 does not have to be divided into the first upper space 78a and the second upper space 78b.

The ink container 18 may be configured not to include the buffer chambers 41a to 41i and the communication portion 51.
The ink container 18 may be configured not to have a visual recognition surface 61. The upper limit display unit 63 may not be provided on the viewing surface 61. Further, the visible surface 61 does not have to be provided with the lower limit display unit 62. The viewing surface 61 may be a surface that intersects the vertical direction Z.

-The second end 39b side of the ink injection flow path portion 39 may be formed at a position different from that of the top wall 47. For example, the second end 39b may be formed so as to open into the right wall 59.
The second end 39b of the first ink flow path 74a and the second end 39b of the second ink flow path 74b may be located at different positions in the vertical direction Z. At this time, it is preferable that the second end portion 39b of the second ink flow path 74b is located above the second end portion 39b of the first ink flow path 74a.

The first ink flow path 74a may be configured to include a first flow path portion 81a and a second flow path portion 81b in the same manner as the second ink flow path 74b. At this time, the positions of the lower end of the first flow path portion 81a included in the first ink flow path 74a and the lower end of the first flow path portion 81a included in the second ink flow path 74b are different from each other in the vertical direction Z to obtain ink. Can be reduced in the possibility that the ink stays in balance in the flow path portions 81a and 81b. Even if the ink flow path of at least one of the first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b includes a plurality of at least one flow path portions of the first flow path portion 81a and the second flow path portion 81b. Good. Further, the second ink flow path 74b may not include the second flow path portion 81b like the first ink flow path 74a. The first ink flow path 74a and the second ink flow path 74b may have different thicknesses (cross-sectional areas) from each other.

-The ink injection flow path portion 39 may be configured to have one ink flow path. Further, the ink injection flow path portion 39 may have a configuration having three or more ink flow paths.
-The ink can be arbitrarily selected as long as it can be printed on the medium by adhering to the medium. For example, the ink includes inks obtained by dissolving, dispersing or mixing solid functional material particles such as pigments and metal particles in a solvent, and has various compositions such as water-based inks, oil-based inks, gel inks, and hot melt inks. It shall include things.

-The medium may be paper, resin, metal, cloth, ceramic, rubber, a natural material (wood, stone, etc.) or a composite thereof. Further, the thickness of the medium may be a plate, a sheet, a film, a foil, or the like. Further, the shape of the medium may be any shape such as a rectangle or a circle. That is, for example, a paper-resin composite film (resin-impregnated paper, resin-coated paper, etc.), a resin-metal composite film (laminate film), a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a disk, a circuit board, or the like may be used.

-The printer is a device that prints images such as characters, pictures, and photographs by adhering a liquid such as ink to a medium, and may be a serial printer, a lateral printer, a line printer, a page printer, or the like. Further, it may be an offset printing device, a printing printing device, or the like. Further, the printer may have at least a printing function for printing on a medium, and may be a multifunction device having a function other than the printing function. Further, the printer may be a device that prints not only on a two-dimensional medium but also on a medium having a three-dimensional curved surface.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and modification will be added below.
By the way, some ink cartridges as in Patent Document 1 are communicated with the atmosphere through an atmospheric communication passage. However, in such an ink cartridge, for example, due to a change in posture or a change in temperature, the ink contained in the ink cartridge may infiltrate into the atmospheric communication passage and leak to the outside. In addition, when the ink is injected into the ink cartridge, the ink may spill and stain the surroundings. An object of the present technical idea is to provide an ink container and a printer provided with an ink container that can reduce the risk of the surroundings being stained with ink.

・ Technical idea 1
It is provided in the middle of an ink storage chamber capable of accommodating ink supplied to the ink injection head, an ink injection flow path portion capable of injecting ink into the ink storage chamber, and an atmospheric communication passage for communicating the ink storage chamber with the atmosphere. The buffer chamber is characterized by having a wall for guiding ink from the connection port between the atmospheric communication passage on the ink storage chamber side and the buffer chamber toward the center of the buffer chamber. Ink container.

According to this configuration, when ink flows into the buffer chamber, the ink is guided toward the center of the buffer chamber. Therefore, the ink can be retained in the buffer chamber, and the risk of ink leaking to the outside through the atmospheric passage can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the periphery of the ink container is stained with ink.

・ Technical idea 2
A technique characterized in that the wall is inclined so that the width of the buffer chamber is wider on the side toward the center of the buffer chamber than on the side toward the atmospheric passage on the atmospheric side. The ink container according to the idea 1.

According to this configuration, since the wall is provided so as to be inclined toward the central portion side of the buffer chamber, it is possible to suppress the flow of ink into the atmospheric passage on the atmospheric side. Therefore, the buffer function of the buffer chamber can be effectively utilized.

・ Technical idea 3
The ink container according to the technical idea 1 or the technical idea 2, wherein the wall is a wall defining the buffer chamber.

According to this configuration, since the ink can be guided by the wall defining the buffer chamber, the ink container can be easily manufactured as compared with the case where the wall defining the buffer chamber and the wall for guiding the ink are separately provided.

・ Technical thought 4
An ink accommodating chamber capable of accommodating ink to be supplied to the ink injection head, a tubular portion having an opening capable of injecting ink into the ink accommodating chamber, a first wall on which the tubular portion is formed, and the ink accommodating chamber. A second wall that defines and allows the ink in the ink containing chamber to be visually recognized from outside the ink containing chamber is provided, and the first wall and the second wall are connected via a plurality of corner portions. Ink container.

According to this configuration, since the first wall and the second wall are connected via a plurality of corners, even if ink leaks around the cylinder portion, the leaked ink flows to the visible surface. It is possible to reduce the risk of reducing the visibility and reduce the risk of the surrounding area of the ink container being stained with ink.

・ Technical idea 5
The ink container according to the technical idea 4, wherein the first wall is provided with an air communication portion that communicates the ink storage chamber with the atmosphere.

According to this configuration, since the air communication part and the cylinder part are provided on the first wall, it is easy to inspect the ventilation while closing one of the openings of the air communication part and the cylinder part and ventilating from the other. It can be carried out.

11 ... Composite machine, 12 ... Printer, 13 ... Image reader, 15 ... Operation unit, 16 ... Display unit, 17 ... Operation panel, 18 ... Ink container, 18A ... First ink container, 18B ... Second ink storage Body, 19 ... Housing unit, 20 ... Housing, 21 ... Window, 23 ... Printing, 24 ... Supply, 25 ... Ink injection head, 26 ... Carriage, 28 ... Rotating mechanism, 29 ... Cover, 30 ... Cap , 31 ... Ink bottle, 33 ... Mounting part, 34 ... Claw part, 35 ... Mounting screw, 36 ... Screwing part, 37 ... Locking part, 39 ... Ink injection flow path part, 39a ... First end part, 39b ... 2nd end, 40 ... ink storage chamber, 41a to 41i ... buffer chamber, 42 ... storage portion, 43 ... buffer recess, 44 ... storage chamber recess, 45 ... storage case, 46a ... first film (film Example), 46b ... 2nd film (example of film), 47 ... top wall, 48a-48c ... storage wall, 48d ... storage bottom wall, 50 ... atmospheric communication part, 51 ... communication part, 52a-52g ... connection part, 53a to 53j ... Through hole, 54 ... Left wall, 56 ... Bottom wall, 57 ... Front wall (example of side wall and second wall), 58 ... Rear wall (example of side wall), 59 ... Right wall (example of side wall) , 61 ... Visible surface, 62 ... Lower limit display unit, 63 ... Upper limit display unit, 65 ... Ink lead-out unit, 66 ... Filter mounting part, 67 ... Ink lead-out path, 68 ... Vertical rib portion, 69a to 69c ... Cross rib portion, 70 ... Extension, 71a, 71b ... Projection, 73 ... Cylinder, 74a, 74b ... Ink flow path, 75 ... Top surface, 75a ... Cylinder formation wall (example of first wall), 76a to 76c ... Flow path Wall, 77 ... groove, 78a ... first upper space, 78b ... second upper space, 79 ... communication passage, 80a, 80b ... communication hole, 81a ... first flow path portion, 81b ... second flow path portion, 82 ... Ink receiving part, 83 ... partition wall, 84 ... notch part, 86 ... nozzle row, 87 ... absorbing part, 89 ... scale, 90 ... partition wall, 91 ... first corner part, 92 ... second corner part, 93 ... atmosphere Ink passage, 93a ... 1st atmospheric ink passage, 93b ... 2nd atmospheric ink passage, 94 ... lower wall, 95 ... rear side wall, 95a ... inclined wall, 95b ... vertical wall, 95c ... horizontal wall, 96 ... front side wall, 97 ... Upper wall, 99 ... decorative panel, A ... center line, X ... width direction, Y ... depth direction, Z ... vertical direction.

Claims (12)

An ink storage chamber that can store ink to be supplied to the ink injection head,
An ink injection flow path portion capable of injecting the ink into the ink storage chamber by connecting a first end portion that opens to the outside of the ink storage chamber and a second end portion that opens to the inside of the ink storage chamber.
With
At least a part of the ink injection flow path portion is formed by sealing a groove defined by the flow path wall with a film attached to the flow path wall .
The ink injection flow path portion has a plurality of ink flow paths connecting the first end portion and the second end portion.
An ink container, characterized in that the second ends of the plurality of ink flow paths are located at equal heights in the ink storage chamber . At least one ink flow path among the plurality of ink flow paths is
The first flow path and
A second flow path portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the first flow path portion,
The ink container according to claim 1 , wherein the ink container comprises. The second end side of the ink injection flow path portion is located in the upper space of the ink storage chamber, and is characterized in that it is formed so as to project downward from the top wall that partitions the ink storage chamber. The ink container according to claim 1 or 2 . It has a top wall and a side wall that define the ink storage chamber, and has
The side wall extending in a direction intersecting the top wall is erected in the vertical direction in the used state, and has a visible surface on which the ink in the ink containing chamber can be visually recognized from the outside.
An upper limit display unit is provided on the visible surface to indicate an upper limit of the amount of ink to be replenished.
The ink according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the ink injection flow path portion is located at a position corresponding to the upper limit display portion in the vertical direction of the second end portion. Containment body. An ink storage chamber that can store ink to be supplied to the ink injection head,
An ink injection flow path portion capable of injecting the ink into the ink storage chamber by connecting a first end portion that opens to the outside of the ink storage chamber and a second end portion that opens to the inside of the ink storage chamber.
A buffer chamber provided along the ink injection flow path and
A communication unit that connects the buffer chamber and the ink storage chamber,
An atmospheric communication unit that communicates the buffer chamber with the atmosphere,
With
At least a part of the ink injection flow path portion is formed by sealing a groove defined by the flow path wall with a film attached to the flow path wall .
An ink container, characterized in that, in a state of use of the ink container, the communication portion communicates with the ink storage chamber at a position above the second end portion . In the used state of the ink container, the space above the second end portion in the ink storage chamber is divided into a first upper space and a second upper space by the ink injection flow path portion.
The ink container according to claim 5 , further comprising a communication passage for communicating the first upper space and the second upper space. In the use state of the ink container, the volume of the second end the space above in the ink storage chamber, according to claim 5 or claim being larger than the volume of the ink injection flow path portion 6. The ink container according to 6 . The ink according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the buffer chamber is formed by sealing a buffer recess having one open surface with the film. Containment body. The film is
A first film that seals a part of the groove to form a part of the ink injection flow path portion,
A second film that seals a part of the groove to form the second end portion of the ink injection flow path portion, and
Have,
The ink storage chamber is any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein a storage chamber recess having one open surface is formed by sealing the ink storage chamber with the second film. The ink container described in. An ink storage chamber that can store ink to be supplied to the ink injection head,
An ink injection flow path portion capable of injecting the ink into the ink storage chamber by connecting a first end portion that opens to the outside of the ink storage chamber and a second end portion that opens to the inside of the ink storage chamber.
In the used state of the ink container, a storage unit located at a position lower than the first end portion and storing ink that has flowed down from the first end portion to the outside of the ink injection flow path portion.
With
At least a part of the ink injection flow path portion is formed by sealing a groove defined by the flow path wall with a film attached to the flow path wall .
The storage unit
The top wall that defines the ink storage chamber and
A storage wall that stands above the top wall and has a part of the side open,
The film that seals the side-facing opening of the storage wall, and
An ink container defined by an ink container that opens upward . An ink container including an ink accommodating chamber capable of accommodating ink and an ink injection flow path portion capable of injecting the ink into the ink accommodating chamber .
And Louis ink jet head to jet the ink,
A housing that houses the ink container and the ink injection head,
The operation panel provided on the housing and
With
The operation panel has a display unit and has a display unit.
The ink injection flow path portion connects a first end portion that opens to the outside of the ink storage chamber and a second end portion that opens to the inside of the ink storage chamber.
At least a part of the ink injection flow path portion is formed by sealing a groove defined by the flow path wall with a film attached to the flow path wall.
The ink container is arranged so that at least a part thereof is located at the same height as the operation panel.
In an injection state in which ink is injected into the ink accommodating chamber through the ink injection flow path portion, the first end portion of the ink injection flow path portion is located above the display portion. printer. A buffer chamber provided in the middle of the atmospheric communication passage for communicating the ink storage chamber with the atmosphere is further provided.
Claims 1 to claim that the buffer chamber has a wall for guiding the ink from the connection port between the atmospheric communication passage on the ink storage chamber side and the buffer chamber toward the center of the buffer chamber. the ink container according to any one of claim 1 0.

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