JPH1158763A - Ink container and ink-jet recording apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the ink leakage from the connecting part or the nozzle of a recording head at the time of connecting a connecting member for guiding the ink to the recording head. SOLUTION: Both side parts 31a, 31b of an ink pack 31 of an ink container are forced to the direction away from each other by a plate spring-like elastic member 32 so that the end face part 31c is tensed in a substantially flat state. When a connecting member pierces the end face part 31c for guiding an ink into a recording head, the side parts 31a, 31b are curved outward such that the volume change caused by outward swell of the side parts 31a, 31b is larger than the volume change caused by deflection of the end face part 31c derived from the external force applied on the end face part 31c along the side parts 31a, 31b. Accordingly, the negative pressure state of the ink in the ink pack 31 is strengthened by the external force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ink supply device having an ink supply portion at one end, and a side surface extending from the one end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ink supply portion. The present invention relates to an ink container that can be used and an ink jet recording apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink in an ink container is guided to a recording head, and a plurality of nozzles provided in the recording head are driven in accordance with a recording pattern signal to discharge ink toward a recording medium to perform recording. Ink jet recording apparatuses are known, and such ink jet recording apparatuses are employed in printers and facsimile machines as output devices of electronic devices.

As such an ink jet recording apparatus, a rigid ink cartridge is connected to an ink supply pipe to a recording head via a rubber seal material, and an ink supply to a recording head is supplied to a container mounting portion. It is known that a hollow needle to which a tube is connected is fixed, and an ink outlet is formed by piercing a container receiving portion of the ink container with the hollow needle when the ink container is mounted. In the latter case, the ink container accommodates a bag made of a flexible sheet material in a rigid box, and attaches a rubber stopper piercing a hollow needle to the mouth of the bag.

Further, as described in JP-A-6-183023, a pair of rigid plate members is provided inside a bag made of a flexible sheet material, and a spring member is provided between the pair of plate members. An ink container that generates a negative pressure inside a flexible bag by being sandwiched has been proposed. This is to always apply a negative pressure to the nozzles of the recording head to prevent the ink from leaking from the nozzles.

[0005]

In such a recording apparatus, when a rubber sealing material is interposed between the ink cartridge and the ink supply pipe, since the sealing material is compressed, the air in the sealing material is compressed. Is also compressed, and ink may leak from the nozzles of the recording head. Further, when the hollow needle is inserted into the ink container, there is a possibility that the ink leaks from the insertion portion and scatters around. For this reason, a rubber stopper for piercing the hollow needle and its surroundings must have a strong structure. In the above-mentioned publication,
In order to prevent the ink from leaking from the nozzles of the recording head during the recording operation, it was necessary to adopt a complicated structure as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when connecting to a connection member for guiding ink to a recording head, prevents ink from leaking from the connection portion or a nozzle of the recording head. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ink container capable of preventing ink from leaking from nozzles of a print head during a printing operation with a simple structure, and an ink jet printing apparatus using the same.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ink supply portion is provided at one end, and a side surface extending from the one end in a direction substantially orthogonal to the ink supply portion is provided with a substantially flat spring along the side surface. It is assumed that the ink container exerts an elastic function in a shape, and that the side portion expands outward due to an external force applied to the one end portion along the side surface portion, rather than a volume change caused by the one end portion denting. The side surface portion is curved outward so that a change in volume due to ejection is greater.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the volume change due to the side portion bulging outward due to the external force applied to the one end portion along the side surface portion, rather than the volume change due to the concave portion at the one end portion. Since the side surface portion is curved outward so as to be larger, the negative pressure of the ink inside is increased by the external force. Therefore, when one end of the ink supply unit is connected to the recording head,
As described above, the negative pressure state of the ink inside the container is increased by the external force acting for the connection, and there is no possibility that the ink leaks from the connection portion. Further, there is no possibility that the ink leaks from the nozzles of the recording head.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink container according to the first aspect, wherein the ink pack is formed in a bag shape from a deformable and flexible sheet material, and a plate provided along a side portion of the ink pack. A leaf spring-like elastic material that exhibits a spring-like elastic function.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the leaf spring-like elastic material which exerts the leaf spring-like elastic function is provided along the side surface of the ink pack, the substantially plate-like elastic material is provided along the side surface. A spring-like elastic function is exhibited.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink container according to the second aspect, the mounting portion is formed such that the leaf spring-like elastic material is adhered along a pair of side portions of the ink pack located opposite to each other. And a U-shaped connecting portion for connecting the two mounting portions beyond the other end of the ink pack, and urges the both side portions in a direction in which a gap therebetween is widened.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a simple structure having a plate mounting portion and a U-shaped connecting portion for connecting the plate mounting portion is provided. A shape-like elastic function is exhibited. In addition, the inside of the ink pack is always in a negative pressure state, and a negative pressure can be applied to the nozzles of the recording head, thereby preventing the ink from leaking from the nozzles during the recording operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ink container of the third aspect, the attachment portion is attached to substantially the entire outer surface of the side surface portion except for the other end portion side of the ink pack. .

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the mounting portion is attached to substantially the entire outer surface of the side portion, and the substantially leaf spring-like elastic function exerted along the side portion is provided by the side portion. Occur over substantially the entirety of

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the ink supply portion is located at the one end portion inside a virtual extension portion extending the both side portions. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when one end serving as the ink supply unit is connected to the recording head, one end of the two side surfaces is caused by an external force applied along the side surface. It is deflected inward in the direction of approaching each other, and it is promoted that the center of the side portion is bent outward, so that the negative pressure state of the ink inside the container is effectively increased.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ink container according to the fifth aspect, the one end has a flat portion substantially perpendicular to the side portion, and the ink supply portion is substantially at the center of the flat portion. It is located in.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the ink supply portion is located substantially at the center of the flat portion of the one end portion substantially perpendicular to the side surface portion, the connection with the recording head through the ink supply portion is established. Made easy.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ink container according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the ink pack is formed in a bag shape by welding the periphery except for the one end. The portion has a pupil shape in which the width of the central portion is wide and gradually narrows toward the side edges.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the one end has a pupil shape in which the width of the central portion is wide and gradually narrows toward the side edge, the one end has a side portion. The external force applied along the direction promotes that the change in volume due to the outward bulging of the side portion is sufficiently larger than the change in volume due to the dent of the one end.

[0021] The invention according to claim 8 is a recording head for ejecting ink to a recording medium for recording, an ink container for storing the ink, and a recording head which is detachably connected to the ink container and records the ink in the ink container. In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a connection member leading to a head, the ink container is provided on one end side and is connectable to the connection member, and a substantially leaf spring extending from the end surface portion in a direction substantially orthogonal thereto. And a side surface portion exhibiting a shape-like elastic function, and when connecting by applying a pressing force of the connection member in a direction along the side surface portion to the end surface portion, a volume change due to the concave end surface portion The side portions are curved outward so that the volume change due to the outward bulging of the side portions is larger than that of the side portions.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when the connecting member is connected to the end face to guide the ink in the ink container to the recording head, the end face is pressed by the pressing force received in the direction along the side face. The side surface portion is curved outward so that the volume change due to the side surface portion bulging out is greater than the volume change due to the concave end surface portion. The negative pressure of the ink inside the container is increased by the pressing force. Therefore, the ink is connected in a state where the negative pressure state of the ink inside the container is increased, so that the negative pressure state acts on the connection portion and the print head simultaneously with the connection, and the connection portion and the nozzle of the print head There is no risk of ink leakage.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the eighth aspect, the connection member is connected to an end face inside the side face of the ink container.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the recording head is connected to the end face, the connecting member is connected to the end face inside the side face, so that the portion of the side face near the end face is provided. Are pulled inward, the side portions are easily buckled, the portions of the side portions on the side of the end surface are deflected in a direction approaching each other, and the center of the side portion is greatly bent outward. .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the ink container has an ink pack formed in a deformable and flexible bag shape in which ink is stored. The connection member has a portion formed in a hollow needle shape, and can pierce the end face portion.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the hollow needle-shaped portion of the connecting member is pierced into the end surface of the ink pack of the ink container, whereby the connecting member is connected to the ink container without difficulty.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention and FIG. 2 showing a plane of an ink container mounting portion, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 discharges ink onto a recording medium (not shown) to perform recording. The recording head 2 is mounted on a carriage 3 that is reciprocated along the width direction of the recording medium. An ink container 4 for storing ink is provided on the carriage 3.
Is provided with an ink container mounting portion 5 which is detachably mounted.

The ink container mounting section 5 is formed of a synthetic resin material and has a vertical wall section 7 having an ink storage chamber 6 therein. The vertical wall portion 7 includes a front wall portion 7a and a rear wall portion 7b.
And a space portion between the front wall portion 7a and the rear wall portion 7b serves as an ink storage chamber 6.

A lower wall portion 8 extending rearward from a lower end of the vertical wall portion 7, and side wall portions 9, 10 extending rearward from both side edges of the vertical wall portion 7 and having lower end edges connected to the lower wall portion 8. The wall portions 7, 8, 9, and 10 form a mounting recess 11 in which the ink container 4 is removably mounted. The first portion 12a of the later-described hollow needle-shaped connection member 12 is entirely stored in the mounting recess 11, so that the user's finger does not touch the tip of the needle.

Further, the ink container 4 is detachably mounted on the vertical wall 7 of the ink container mounting portion 5.
A hollow needle-shaped connecting member 12 is provided, which is connected by piercing the ink container 4 when inserted into the mounting concave portion 11 and guides the ink in the ink container 4 to the recording head 2 through the ink storage chamber 6. ing.

The connecting member 12 penetrates and supports the first portion 12a connected to the ink container 4 and the vertical wall portion 7 of the ink container mounting portion 5 via a cylindrical member 13 (for example, an insert nut). And a third portion 12 c located in the ink storage chamber 6. Specifically, the rear wall portion 7b of the vertical wall portion 7 supports the second portion 12b of the connection member 12 at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction,
In the front wall portion 7a of the vertical wall portion 7, an ink supply hole 14 connected to the recording head 2 is formed below a supporting position of the second portion 12b of the connection member 12. The connection member 12 has a part of the opening end of the third portion 12c abutting on the inner wall surface of the front wall portion 7a.
The other part of the open end is open into the ink storage chamber 6.

The tubular member 13 is heat-sealed to the rear wall portion 7b of the vertical wall portion 7 in a penetrating state, and the connecting member 12 serving as an ink supply pipe is fixed to the tubular member 13 in an inserted state. The space between the cylindrical member 13 and the vertical wall portion 7 and the space between the cylindrical member 13 and the connection member 12 are hermetically sealed with the molten resin of the vertical wall portion 7. The portion between the cylindrical member 13 and the vertical wall portion 7 and between the cylindrical member 13 and the connection member 12 which are hermetically sealed with a molten resin are ink storage chambers in which ink is stored. 6. The recording head 2 is connected to the ink supply hole 14 via adapters 21 and 22. Recording head 2
Are covered by an upper cover 23 and a lower cover 24, respectively.

The ink container 4 is, as shown in FIG.
A deformable and flexible bag-shaped ink pack 31 having two opposing side surfaces 31a and 31b and containing ink therein, and an outer surface of the side surfaces 31a and 31b of the ink pack 31 A plate-like spring member 32 is provided over substantially the entire surface and serves as urging means for urging the side surface portions 31a and 31b in directions away from each other.
The spring member 32 has a side shape, as shown in FIG.
It is almost U-shaped. The ink pack 31 is made of a flexible sheet material, folded back at one end 31c and overlapped, and has a U-shaped peripheral portion 31d, 31e, 3 excluding the one end 31c.
1f is formed in a bag shape by welding.
The d, 31e, and 31f (welded portions) have high strength and are less likely to deform than other portions. In addition, both side portions 31 of the ink pack 31
As shown in FIG. 4, the one end 31c is bent at a right angle from both side portions 31a, 31b (that is, the virtual extension of the side portions 31a, 31b). (Located inside the portion), is held in tension and forms a substantially flat portion in the center thereof, and the center of the flat portion is used as an ink supply portion for piercing and inserting the connection member 12. I have.

When the ink container 4 is mounted, the spring member 32 is positioned at an intermediate position between the two free ends, that is, one end 31c.
The center of the flat portion of the first portion is aligned with the connecting member 12 in the direction along the side portions 31a and 31b (that is, in a substantially parallel direction)
Then, it pushes. By doing so, the one end 31c is recessed, whereby the two free ends of the spring member 32 are pulled in a direction approaching each other, and the center of both sides of the U-shaped spring member 32 is seated in a direction in which the space is opened. Bend down. As a result, the side surface portions 31a, 31b are more likely to change in volume than the one end portion 31c is dented.
The volume change due to outward bending becomes larger. This is because the initial shape of the U-shaped spring member 32 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), by making the shape slightly curved in advance so as to open the space almost at the center in the front-back direction and gradually narrow the space toward both ends, it becomes easy to bend greatly as described above. .

The end face portion 31c has a peripheral portion 31 at both ends.
Since b is joined, it forms a pupil shape in which the width of the central portion is wide and gradually narrows toward the side edges. As described above, since the distance between the peripheral portions 31d and 31f at both ends is sufficiently larger than the distance between the central portions of the both side portions 31a and 31b, as described above, the end surface portion 31 is formed.
c is smaller than the volume change due to the depression
It is promoted that the volume change due to the a and 31b bulging outward becomes sufficiently large.

As described above, since the side portions 31a and 31b are urged by the spring member 32 so as to open apart from each other, the ink in the ink pack 31 is stored in a negative pressure state. .

The plate-shaped spring member 32 has two mounting portions 33, 33 fixed to the outer surfaces of both side portions 31a, 31b of the ink pack 31, respectively.
3 and 33 are the peripheral portion 31 which is the other end of the ink pack 31.
e, and a U-shaped connecting portion 34 for connecting beyond e.

The mounting portions 33 of the spring member 32 are
Since the connecting portion 34 is bent or curved a plurality of times from the connecting portion with the connecting portion 34 located at the center, and has a plate spring shape extending outward, the peripheral portions are smaller in force than the central portion and the mounting portions 33, 33 are provided. The side surfaces 31a and 31b are urged in a direction in which the space therebetween is separated, and the distal end of the connection member 6 is pierced into the central portion where the urging force is large.

Each mounting portion 33 has left and right portions 33A, 33A formed symmetrically to the left and right. Each of the left and right portions 33A has a U-shape having one end connected to a connecting portion 34. It has a first portion 33a and a U-shaped second portion 33b which is provided in parallel with the first portion 33a and has one end connected to the other end of the first portion 33a.

More specifically, the first portion 33
a is a first vertical linear portion 33a1 having one end connected to the connecting portion 34 and the other end linearly extending to near the one end 31c of the ink pack 31, and the other end of the vertical linear portion 33a1. A first end which is connected to and extends outward in a direction orthogonal to the one end;
And a second vertical portion having one end connected to the other end of the first horizontal linear portion 33a2 and extending near the peripheral portion 31e of the ink pack 31 in parallel with the first vertical linear portion 33a1. And a linear portion 33a3. The second portion 33b has one end connected to the other end of the second vertical line portion 33a3 in the first portion 33a via the connecting portion 35, and the other end has the second vertical line portion. One end 31 of the ink pack 31 in parallel with 33a3
a first vertical linear portion 33b1 extending to near c, a first horizontal linear portion 33b2 having one end connected to the other end of the vertical linear portion 33b1 and extending outward in a direction orthogonal to the first vertical linear portion 33b1; One end is connected to the other end of the first horizontal linear portion 33b2, and a second vertical linear portion 33b3 is extended in parallel with the first vertical linear portion 33b1 to near the peripheral portion 31e of the ink pack 31. The portions 33a1 to 33b3 and 35 are adhered to both side surfaces 31a and 31b of the ink pack 31 with an adhesive or a double-sided tape, respectively.

By configuring the spring member 32 as described above, the urging force of the spring member 32 is reduced.
Is set to be smaller at the peripheral portion, which is farther away from the central portion where the tip portion is located, than at the near portion, that is, the central portion. That is, the second portion 33b is the first portion 33
a, the first vertical linear portion 33a1, the first horizontal linear portion 33a2, the second vertical linear portion 33a3, the connecting portion 35,
The urging force is gradually reduced in the order of the first vertical linear portion 33b1, the first horizontal linear portion 33b2, and the second vertical linear portion 33b3.

With the above configuration, when the connection member 12 is pierced and connected to the end face portion 31c having the ink supply portion to guide the ink in the ink container 24 to the recording head 2, The end face part 31c is the side face part 31a, 3
4b, the pressing force is applied in the direction along the side surface 1b, and as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the portions of the side surfaces 31a, 31b on the side of the end surface 31c are deflected in a direction in which they approach each other inward. Since the central portion is curved outward, a larger volume change occurs due to the bulging of the side portions 31a and 31b than to the volume change due to the dent of the end surface portion 31c. As a result, the negative pressure state of the ink inside is increased by the pressing force. Therefore, when the connection member 12 is pierced into the end face portion 31 c having the ink supply portion and the ink container 24 is connected to the recording head 2, there is no possibility that the ink leaks from the connection portion or the nozzle of the recording head 2. .

The connecting member 12 is connected to the recording head 2.
Since the ink supply portion that is pierced and inserted for supplying ink to the end surface portion 31c is located inside the virtual extension portion that extends the both side surface portions 31a and 31b, the ink supply portion When a certain end face portion 31c is connected to the recording head 2, as shown in FIG.
Due to the external force that the end face 31c receives along the side faces 31a, 31b, the end face 31c side portions of the both side faces 31a, 31b are easily displaced inward in the direction approaching each other, and the side faces 31a, 31b The central portion is curved outward.

Further, the end surface portion 31c has a flat portion substantially orthogonal to the side surface portion 31a (see FIG. 4A), and the ink supply portion is located substantially at the center of the flat portion. Therefore, the connecting member 12 is smoothly and smoothly inserted into the ink supply portion located substantially at the center of the flat portion in a substantially orthogonal manner (see FIG. 4B).

The ink is introduced from the ink container 4 to the recording head 2 into the recording head 2 by suctioning the ink in the ink container 4 from the nozzle side of the recording head 2 through the connecting member 12 by the suction device, as in the known device. Or, the ink pack 31
This is done by applying pressure to and pushing out the ink. In a state where the ink is filled up to the nozzles of the recording head 2, the negative pressure state in the ink pack 31 acts on the nozzles, so that the ink does not leak from the nozzles during the recording operation.

Before the ink is consumed, and when the ink pack 31 is fully filled with ink, the outward biasing force of the spring member 32 is combined with that shown in FIG. As shown, the entire ink pack 31 is in a swelled state, but when the ink is consumed and the remaining amount of the ink decreases, the urging force of the spring member 32 moves away from the distal end of the connected connecting member 6. The peripheral portion is set to be smaller than the closer central portion. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The shape changes so that the interval between the portions 31a and 31b becomes narrower, and the remaining ink is collected near the central portion, that is, near the tip of the connecting member 6. It should be noted that such a change in the shape that the distance between the side portions 31a and 31b becomes narrow is caused by the peripheral portions 31d, 31e,
31f is also promoted because the strength is increased by welding.

As described above, even if the remaining amount of the ink in the ink pack 31 becomes small, the ink is collected near the front end of the connecting member 6, so that the ink in the ink pack 31 is reduced to a small or large amount. Regardless, you can use it to the end.

In the above embodiment, the leaf spring-like elastic material is provided over substantially the entire outer surfaces of both side portions of the ink pack, and biases the both side portions in a direction away from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an elastic material may be provided over at least one side surface of the both side surfaces, or over a part of the side surface. In addition, it is not limited to the case where the elastic material is provided on the outer surface of the side surface of the ink pack, but may be provided on the inner surface or the ink pack itself having the above-described elastic action.

[0050]

The present invention is embodied in the form described above, and has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the external force applied to the one end portion having the ink supply portion along the side surface portion causes the side portion to be more outward than the volume change caused by the one end recessed. The side surface portion is curved outward so that the volume change due to bulging becomes larger, so that when the recording head is connected to the ink supply portion (one end portion), The negative pressure of the ink inside the container is increased by the external force acting on the recording head, and the connection enables the negative pressure to be applied to the recording head, thereby preventing the ink from leaking from the nozzle of the recording head. it can.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since a leaf spring-like elastic material that exhibits a leaf spring-like elastic function is provided along the side surface of the ink pack, the leaf spring-like elastic material is used. A substantially leaf spring-like elastic function can be easily exerted along the side surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink pack, wherein an elastic material is attached along a pair of side surfaces of the ink pack which are located opposite to each other, and both of the mounts are attached to the other end of the ink pack. And a U-shaped connecting portion for connecting the plate mounting portion and a U-shaped connecting portion for connecting the plate mounting portion. By using a leaf spring-like elastic material having such a simple structure, a substantially leaf spring-like elastic function can be exerted along the side surface.
In addition, the inside of the ink pack is always in a negative pressure state, and a negative pressure can be applied to the nozzles of the recording head, thereby preventing the ink from leaking from the nozzles during the recording operation.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the mounting portion is adhered over substantially the entire outer surface of the side portion except for the other end portion side of the ink pack, substantially the entire side surface portion is substantially adhered. A leaf spring-like elastic function can be exhibited.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, since the ink supply section is located at one end inside the imaginary extension extending from both sides, one end serving as the ink supply section is connected to the recording head. At this time, the end portions of the two side portions are deflected inward in a direction approaching each other due to an external force received along one side portion at the one end portion, and the centers of the both side portions are respectively bent outward. And the negative pressure state of the ink inside the container is effectively increased.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, since one end portion has a flat portion substantially perpendicular to the side surface portion, and the ink supply portion is located substantially at the center of the flat portion, the flat portion is flat. The connection with the recording head through the ink supply unit located substantially at the center of the portion can be easily performed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since one end has a pupil shape in which the width of the central portion is wide and gradually narrows toward the side edge, the one end is formed in the side surface. The external force applied along the direction promotes that the volume change due to the outward bulging of the side portion is sufficiently larger than the volume change due to the dent of the one end portion.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in order to guide the ink in the ink container to the recording head, when the connection is made by applying a pressing force of a connecting member to the end face in a direction along the side face, the end face is connected. Since the side portion is curved outward so that the volume change caused by the side portion bulging outward is larger than the volume change caused by the depression, the connection to the end face portion is made. When the members are connected, the negative pressure of the ink inside the container is increased by the pressing force, so that the ink can be prevented from leaking from the connection portion or the nozzle of the recording head.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the recording head is connected to the end face, the connecting member is connected to the end face inside the side face. The side portion is pulled inward, so that the side portion can be easily buckled.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the hollow needle-shaped portion of the connecting member is pierced into the end face of the ink pack of the ink container, the connecting member can be easily and easily connected to the ink container. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an ink container mounting section according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink container according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a change in the state of the ink container according to the present invention,
(A) is an explanatory view of a state in which no external force acts on the end face,
(B) is an explanatory view of a state where an external force is acting on the end face portion.

5A and 5B show a cross section in the width direction of the ink container according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an initial state of ink use, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a final state of ink use.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet recording apparatus 2 Recording head 3 Carriage 4 Ink container 5 Ink container mounting part 7 Vertical wall part 7a Front wall part 7b Back wall part 12 Connecting member 31 Ink pack 31a Side part 31b Welding part 31c End part 32 Elastic material 32A Mounting part 32B connection

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An ink container having an ink supply portion at one end, and a side surface extending from the one end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ink supply portion and having a substantially leaf-spring-like elastic function along the side surface. The external force received by the one end portion along the side surface portion, so that the volume change due to the side portion bulging outward is larger than the volume change due to the one end portion denting, The ink container, wherein the side surface portion is curved outward. 2. An ink pack formed in a bag shape from a deformable and flexible sheet material, and a leaf spring-like elastic member provided along a side portion of the ink pack and exhibiting a leaf spring elastic function. The ink container according to claim 1, further comprising a material. 3. The ink spring according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring-like elastic material is attached to a pair of side portions of the ink pack which are opposed to each other. 3. The ink container according to claim 2, further comprising a U-shaped connecting portion that is connected to the side wall, and biases the both side portions in a direction in which a gap therebetween is widened. 4. 4. The ink container according to claim 3, wherein the attachment portion is attached over substantially the entire outer surface of the side surface portion except for the other end portion side of the ink pack. 5. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein said ink supply section is located at an inside of a virtual extension portion extending from said both side portions at said one end portion. 6. The ink according to claim 5, wherein said one end has a flat portion substantially orthogonal to said side portion, and said ink supply portion is located substantially at the center of said flat portion. container. 7. The ink pack is formed in a bag shape by welding the periphery excluding the one end, and the one end gradually becomes wider as the width of the central portion becomes wider and becomes the side edge. The ink container according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the ink container has a narrowed pupil shape. 8. A recording head for performing recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, an ink container for storing ink, and a connecting member detachably connected to the ink container and guiding the ink in the ink container to the recording head. In the ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the ink container, an end face portion provided on one end side and connectable to the connection member, extends from the end face portion in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and has a substantially leaf spring-like elastic function. A side portion that exerts, when connecting by applying a pressing force of the connection member in a direction along the side surface portion with respect to the end surface portion, the side surface than the volume change due to the concave end surface portion The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side surface portion is curved outward so that a volume change due to the outward expansion of the portion is larger. 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the connection member is connected to an end face inside the side face of the ink container. 10. The ink container has an ink pack formed in a deformable and flexible bag shape in which ink is stored inside, and the connection member is formed in a hollow needle shape. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the end face portion can be pierced.