Liquid cartridge

Abstract

This improves the rigidity of the cartridge housing while suppressing a decrease in the volume of the liquid chamber. [Solution] The ink cartridge 30 comprises a blow-molded container body 31. The container body 31 has a left wall 42, a right wall 43, an upper wall 44, a lower wall 45, and a storage chamber 46. The left wall 42, the right wall 43, the upper wall 44, and the lower wall 45 surround the storage chamber. The left wall 42 has a left rib 702, and the right wall 43 has a right rib 703. The left rib 702 and the right rib 703 have recessed portions that extend linearly into the interior of the storage chamber 46, and open at the upper wall 44 and the lower wall 45.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge for storing a liquid.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cartridge that is detachably attached to a cartridge mounting portion of a printing apparatus. The cartridge includes a liquid container and a liquid supply unit. The liquid container defines a liquid chamber for containing a liquid and is hollow. The liquid supply unit communicates with the liquid chamber and supplies the liquid in the liquid chamber to the printing apparatus. The liquid container has concavo-convex portions having a concavo-convex shape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The cartridge of Patent Document 1 has a plurality of concavo-convex portions. The plurality of concavo-convex portions are arranged in the insertion direction of the cartridge at a predetermined interval. The plurality of concavo-convex portions improve the rigidity of the liquid container.

[0005] In the liquid container, if the length in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of concavo-convex portions are arranged is long, the rigidity of the liquid container becomes low. In order to ensure the rigidity of such a liquid container, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the concavo-convex portions. When the diameter of the concavo-convex portions increases, the volume of the liquid chamber decreases due to the volume of the concavo-convex portions.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the rigidity of the housing of the cartridge while suppressing a decrease in the volume of the liquid chamber.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] (1) The liquid cartridge relating to this disclosure comprises a blow-molded housing. The housing has an outer wall and a liquid chamber enclosed by the outer wall. The outer wall has a recess that extends linearly into the interior of the liquid chamber.

[0008] With the above configuration, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the cartridge housing while suppressing a reduction in the volume of the liquid chamber.

[0009] (2) The exterior wall includes a left wall, a right wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall, and the recess is located in the left wall or the right wall and opens in at least the upper wall or the lower wall.

[0010] (3) The device has a supply section that connects the liquid chamber to the outside. The outer wall includes a first wall located on one side as viewed from the supply section, and a second wall located on the opposite side from the first wall as viewed from the supply section. The liquid chamber is located between the first wall and the second wall. A parting line is located in the supply section. The distance from the first wall to the parting line of the supply section along the left-right direction is referred to as the first distance.

[0011] The distance along the left-right direction from the second wall to the parting line of the supply section is referred to as the second distance. The first distance is longer than the second distance. The recess is located in the second wall. A portion of the recess is located closer to the first wall than to the parting line of the supply section.

[0012] (4) The outer wall includes an upper wall and a lower wall. The outer wall has a protrusion in the upper wall or the lower wall that extends linearly and protrudes to the outside of the liquid chamber. The protrusion extends following the opening in the upper wall or the lower wall of the recess.

[0013] (5) The recess extends in the upper wall or the lower wall to the vicinity of the parting line.

[0014] (6) In the upper wall or the lower wall, the concave portion and the convex portion intersect.

[0015] (7) The concave portion extends to the upper wall or the lower wall.

[0016] (8) In the upper wall or the lower wall, the concave portion and the convex portion intersect. And, among the upper wall and the lower wall, in the vertical direction, the concave portion extends to the outer wall facing the outer wall where the convex portion is located.

[0017] (9) The concave portion opens in the upper wall and also opens in the lower wall.

[0018] (10) The concave portion extends in the vertical direction.

[0019] (11) The concave portion extends in the left - right direction.

[0020] (12) The outer wall is rectangular in plan view, and the concave portion extends along the short - side direction of the outer wall.

[0021] (13) The concave portion includes a first concave portion located in the left wall and a second concave portion located in the right wall. The first concave portion and the second concave portion extend along the same direction and are located at positions facing each other in the left - right direction.

[0022] (14) The concave portion includes a first concave portion located in the left wall and a second concave portion located in the right wall. The first concave portion and the second concave portion extend along the same direction and are located at positions not facing each other in the left - right direction.

[0023] (15) The first concave portion and the second concave portion have a joint portion that joins in the liquid chamber.

[0024] (16) The concave portion includes a first concave portion located in the left wall and a second concave portion located in the left wall.

[0025] (17) The depth of the first concave portion is different from the depth of the second concave portion.

[0026] (18) The concave portion has portions with different depths.

[0027] (19) The depth of the concave portion changes in a U-shape.

[0028] (20) The concave portion has portions with different widths that open in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the concave portion extends linearly.

[0029] (21) The outer wall further has a label affixed so as to cover a part of the concave portion. The width of the first portion located at the edge of the label of the concave portion is smaller than the width of the second portion not located at the edge of the label.

[0030] (22) The concave portion has a first linear portion that extends linearly and a second linear portion that extends linearly. The direction in which the first linear portion extends intersects the direction in which the second linear portion extends.

[0031] <第 (23) It has an air passage portion that communicates the liquid chamber with the outside, and a supply portion that is located below the air passage portion and communicates the liquid chamber with the outside.

[0032] (24) A parting line is located in the supply portion, and the concave portion is recessed beyond the parting line inside the liquid chamber.

Advantages of the Invention

[0033] According to the present disclosure, while suppressing a decrease in the volume of the liquid chamber, the rigidity of the cartridge housing is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 10. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the upper left rear. Note: There seems to be a formatting issue with the tag in the original text which is not properly closed in the provided content. I've translated it as best as possible while keeping the original tag intact. Also, the tag <第 seems to be a misformatted tag in the original text and has been left as is in the translation. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the lower right front. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the first embodiment, showing the AA cross-section in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 according to the first embodiment, showing the BB cross-section in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a cross-section of the container body 31 according to the first comparative example of the first embodiment. Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a cross-section of the container body 31 according to the second comparative example of the first embodiment. Figure 6(c) is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a cross-section of the container body 31 according to the third comparative example of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a horizontal cross-section of the container body 31 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a vertical cross-section of the container body 31 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a view of the ink cartridge 1030 according to the second embodiment, seen from the left. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a view from the left of the ink cartridge 1030 according to the second embodiment before the label 1607 is affixed. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 1030 according to the second embodiment, before the label 1607 is affixed, viewed from the upper left rear. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 1030 according to the second embodiment, before the label 1607 is affixed, viewed from the lower right front. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the CC cross-section of the ink cartridge 1030 according to the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 10. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic external perspective view showing the modified ink cartridge 1030 of the second embodiment. [Figure 15]Figure 15 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 2030 according to the third embodiment, viewed from the upper left rear. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 2030 according to the third embodiment, viewed from the lower right front. [Figure 17] Figure 17(a) is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink cartridge 2030 according to the third embodiment, showing the DD cross-section of Figure 15. Figure 17(b) is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink cartridge 2030 according to the third embodiment, showing the EE cross-section of Figure 15. Figure 17(c) is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ink cartridge 2030 according to the third embodiment, showing the FF cross-section of Figure 15. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the GG cross-section of the ink cartridge 2030 according to the third embodiment, as shown in Figure 16. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of how this disclosure is concretized, and the embodiments may be modified as appropriate without altering the gist of this disclosure.

[0036] In the following, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge case 110 of the printer 10 is referred to as the "front-to-back direction." In the front-to-back direction, "forward" refers to the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge case 110. "Backward" refers to the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge case 110. The vertical direction is referred to as the "up-down direction." The direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-and-down direction is referred to as the left-to-right direction.

[0037] The left-right direction is defined as "right" and "left" relative to the rear in the front-back direction. When describing how the elements constituting the ink cartridge 30 face a specific direction, the direction in which the elements face is not limited to that specific direction. For example, when "the front faces forward," the front may face both forward and upward.

[0038] [First Embodiment] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 includes a cartridge case 110, a sub-tank 120, an ink tube 20, a recording head 21, and an ink cartridge 30. The ink cartridge 30 is an example of a liquid cartridge. The printer 10 is an inkjet recording device that records images by ejecting ink droplets from the recording head 21 onto paper based on an inkjet recording method.

[0039] The printer 10 is equipped with a cartridge case 110. An ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge case 110. With the ink cartridge 30 installed in the cartridge case 110, an ink supply tube 102 is inserted into the ink supply section 33 of the ink cartridge 30. Ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 30 to the recording head 21 via the ink supply tube 102 and the ink tube 20.

[0040] The cartridge case 110 has an opening 112 at its rear end. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge case 110 facing forward through the opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge case 110 facing backward through the opening 112. The opening 112 is opened and closed by the case cover 126. Figure 1 shows the installed state after the ink cartridge 30 has been installed in the cartridge case 110.

[0041] The ink cartridge 30 stores ink that can be used by the printer 10. The ink may be a liquid containing a colorant such as a pigment, or it may be a processing liquid containing additives for improving image quality instead of a colorant. When the ink cartridge 30 is installed in the cartridge case 110, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected via an ink tube 20. The recording head 21 ejects the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 30 from a plurality of nozzles 29. Specifically, a head control board in the recording head 21 selectively applies a drive voltage to a plurality of piezoelectric elements 29A corresponding to the plurality of nozzles 29.

[0042] By selectively applying a drive voltage, ink is selectively ejected from the nozzle 29. In other words, the recording head 21 consumes the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 installed in the cartridge case 110.

[0043] The printer 10 includes a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a transport roller pair 25, a platen 26, an output roller pair 27, and an output tray 16. The paper feed roller 23 feeds the paper on the paper feed tray 15 toward the transport path 24. The paper fed toward the transport path 24 reaches the transport roller pair 25. The transport roller pair 25 transports the paper that has reached the transport roller pair 25 toward the platen 26. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink from the paper as it passes across the platen 26.

[0044] In this way, an image is recorded on the paper. The paper that has passed through the platen 26 reaches the discharge roller pair 27. The discharge roller pair 27 discharges the paper that has reached it to the output tray 16 located at the downstream end of the transport path 24.

[0045] [Ink Cartridge 30] The ink cartridge 30 is a container in which liquid ink is stored. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 has a container body 31 and a cover 32. The container body 31 is, for example, a blow-molded product made of synthetic resin. The container body 31 is an example of a housing.

[0046] The cover 32 is located in front of the container body 31. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted with the cover 32 facing forward towards the cartridge case 110.

[0047] The container body 31 is a flattened rectangular parallelepiped whose length in the left-right direction is smaller than its length in the up-down direction and its length in the front-back direction. The container body 31 has a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, a left wall 42, a right wall 43, an upper wall 44, a lower wall 45, a storage chamber 46, a supply section 33, and an atmospheric passage section 502. The left wall 42 is an example of a first wall. The right wall 43 is an example of a second wall. The storage chamber 46 is an example of a liquid chamber.

[0048] The front wall 40, rear wall 41, upper wall 44, and lower wall 45 are rectangular outer walls with the left-right direction as the shorter side. The left wall 42 and right wall 43 are rectangular outer walls with the up-down direction as the shorter side. The front wall 40, rear wall 41, left wall 42, right wall 43, upper wall 44, and lower wall 45 partition the storage chamber 46, which is the internal space of the container body 31. The front wall 40, rear wall 41, left wall 42, right wall 43, upper wall 44, and lower wall 45 are translucent enough that the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 46 can be seen from the outside. The supply section 33 and the atmospheric passage section 502 connect the storage chamber 46 to the outside.

[0049] The outer surface of the front wall 40 faces forward. The rear wall 41 faces the front wall 40 in the front-rear direction. The left wall 42 connects the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The right wall 43 faces the left wall 42 in the left-right direction. The upper wall 44 connects the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41.

[0050] The lower wall 45 faces the upper wall 44 in the vertical direction.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the front wall 40 has an upper front wall 40T located above and a lower front wall 40B located below. The upper front wall 40T is located in front of the lower front wall 40B. The space behind the upper front wall 40T is also part of the storage chamber 46. The upper part of the storage chamber 46 extends forward beyond the lower part of the storage chamber 46. The upper front wall 40T is covered by a cover 32.

[0052] The upper front wall 40T has a cylindrical air passage section 502. The air passage section 502 connects the area near the upper end of the storage chamber 46 to the outside. The lower front wall 40B is continuous with a cylindrical supply section 33. The supply section 33 is located below the air passage section 502.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the left wall 42 has a front left wall 42F, a rear left wall 42R, and a middle left wall 42C. The front left wall 42F is located between the upper front wall 40T and the lower front wall 40B in the front-rear direction. The front left wall 42F is covered by the cover 32. The rear left wall 42R is connected to the rear wall 41. The middle left wall 42C is located between the front left wall 42F and the rear left wall 42R in the front-rear direction.

[0054] The middle left wall 42C is located in front of the rear left wall 42R, with the left rib 702 (described later) in between. The outer surface of the middle left wall 42C and the outer surface of the rear left wall 42R are flush. The front left wall 42F is located to the right of the middle left wall 42C and the rear left wall 42R.

[0055] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the right wall 43 has a front right wall 43F, a rear right wall 43R, and a middle right wall 43C. The front right wall 43F is located between the upper front wall 40T and the lower front wall 40B in the front-rear direction. The front right wall 43F is covered by the cover 32. The rear right wall 43R is connected to the rear wall 41. The middle right wall 43C is located between the front right wall 43F and the rear right wall 43R in the front-rear direction.

[0056] The middle right wall 43C is located in front of the rear right wall 43R, with the right rib 703 (described later) in between. The outer surfaces of the front right wall 43F, the middle right wall 43C, and the rear right wall 43R are flush.

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, the upper wall 44 has a rear upper wall 44R, a middle upper wall 44C, and a convex upper wall 44P. In Figure 2, although not visible as it is covered by the cover 32, the front upper wall is located in front of the middle upper wall 44C. The rear upper wall 44R is located behind the middle upper wall 44C. The middle upper wall 44C is located between the front upper wall and the rear upper wall 44R in the front-rear direction. The convex upper wall 44P is located to the right of the middle upper wall 44C and the rear upper wall 44R.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the lower wall 45 has a rear lower wall 45R and a middle lower wall 45C. In Figure 3, although not visible as it is covered by the cover 32, the front lower wall is located in front of the middle lower wall 45C. The rear lower wall 45R is located behind the middle lower wall 45C. The middle lower wall 45C is located between the front lower wall and the rear lower wall 45R in the front-rear direction. The supply section 33 is located to the right of the middle lower wall 45C and the rear lower wall 45R.

[0059] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the front left wall 42F and the front right wall 43F are continuous with the upper front wall 40T. The front upper wall and the front lower wall are also continuous with the upper front wall 40T. The rear left wall 42R, the rear right wall 43R, the rear upper wall 44R, and the rear lower wall 45R are continuous with the rear wall 41. The space between the upper front wall 40T, the front left wall 42F, the front right wall 43F, the front upper wall, and the front lower wall is part of the storage chamber 46. In the left-right direction, the distance from the outer surface of the front left wall 42F to the outer surface of the front right wall 43F is smaller than the distance from the outer surface of the rear left wall 42R to the outer surface of the rear right wall 43R.

[0060] The cover 32 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape, shorter in the vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back directions than the container body 31. The cover 32 is a box shape with an opening facing the rear. The cover 32 is attached to the container body 31 so as to cover the upper front wall 40T, the front left wall 42F, the front right wall 43F, the front upper wall, and the front lower wall of the container body 31.

[0061] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the container body 31 has a left rib 702, a right rib 703, an upper rib 704, and a lower rib 705. The left rib 702, the right rib 703, and the lower rib 705 are examples of recesses. The left rib 702 is an example of a first recess. The right rib 703 is an example of a second recess. The upper rib 704 is an example of a convex portion.

[0062] The left rib 702 and the right rib 703 are located opposite each other in the left-right direction. The upper rib 704 and the lower rib 705 are located opposite each other in the up-down direction. The left rib 702, the right rib 703, the upper rib 704, and the lower rib 705 are located in a common position in the front-rear direction.

[0063] As shown in Figure 2, the left rib 702 is located between the middle left wall 42C and the rear left wall 42R in the front-rear direction. The left rib 702 extends linearly in the vertical direction.

[0064] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the left rib 702 is recessed in a U-shape so as to extend into the storage chamber 46. Hereinafter, the distance from the bottom surface 702b of the left rib 702 to the outer surface of the left wall 42 in the left-right direction will be referred to as the third distance D3. The third distance D3 is longest at the center of the left rib 702 in the vertical direction. The third distance D3 decreases continuously from the center of the left rib 702 in the vertical direction towards both ends. The third distance D3 is equal at the upper end and the lower end of the left rib 702.

[0065] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the left rib 702 opens upward to the outside between the middle upper wall 44C and the rear upper wall 44R on the upper wall 44. The left rib 702 is continuous with the upper rib 704 at its upper end. The left rib 702 opens to the outside to the left between the middle left wall 42C and the rear left wall 42R on the left wall 42. The left rib 702 opens downward to the outside between the middle lower wall 45C and the rear lower wall 45R on the lower wall 45. The left rib 702 is continuous with the lower rib 705 at its lower end.

[0066] As shown in Figure 3, the right rib 703 is located between the middle right wall 43C and the rear right wall 43R in the front-rear direction. The right rib 703 faces the left rib 702 in the left-right direction. The right rib 703 extends linearly in the vertical direction.

[0067] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the right rib 703 is recessed in a U-shape so as to extend into the storage chamber 46. Hereinafter, the distance from the bottom surface 703a of the right rib 703 to the outer surface of the right wall 43 in the left-right direction will be referred to as the fourth distance D4. The fourth distance D4 is longest at the center of the right rib 703 in the vertical direction. The fourth distance D4 decreases continuously from the center of the right rib 703 in the vertical direction towards both ends.

[0068] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the right rib 703 opens outward to the right on the right wall 43 between the middle right wall 43C and the rear right wall 43R. On the lower wall 45, the right rib 703 opens outward downward between the middle lower wall 45C and the rear lower wall 45R, and to the right of the supply section 33. The upper end of the right rib 703 is located above the right wall 43, below the convex upper wall 44P.

[0069] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the upper rib 704 is located between the middle upper wall 44C and the rear upper wall 44R in the front-rear direction. The upper rib 704 protrudes upward from the upper wall 44 so as to reach the outside of the storage chamber 46. The upper rib 704 extends linearly from the left end of the upper wall 44 toward the right to the convex upper wall 44P. The convex upper wall 44P is located near the parting line, which will be described later.

[0070] Hereinafter, the distance from the outer surfaces of the middle upper wall 44C and the rear upper wall 44R to the upper surface of the upper rib 704 in the vertical direction will be referred to as the fifth distance D5. The fifth distance D5 is shortest at the left end of the upper wall 44 and increases as it moves to the right. The fifth distance D5 is longest at the point where it is in contact with the convex upper wall 44P.

[0071] The rib opening 706 in the upper wall 44 of the left rib 702 is located at the right end of the upper rib 704. The upper rib 704 extends from the rib opening 706 in the upper wall 44 of the left rib 702. Viewed from the front-rear direction, the left rib 702 and the upper rib 704 intersect at the upper wall 44. The distance of the outer surface of the upper rib 704 in the front-rear direction is longer than the distance of the rib opening 706 in the front-rear direction.

[0072] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower rib 705 is located between the middle lower wall 45C and the rear lower wall 45R in the front-rear direction. The lower rib 705 is recessed in the lower wall 45 so as to extend into the interior of the storage chamber 46. The lower rib 705 extends linearly in the left-right direction from the left end of the lower wall 45 toward the right until it contacts the supply section 33. In the left wall 42, the lower rib 705 opens between the middle left wall 42C and the rear left wall 42R. The lower rib 705 is continuous with the left rib 702.

[0073] As shown in Figure 5, the axis of the air passage section 502 and the axis of the supply section 33 overlap in a top view. In the first embodiment, the plane that includes the axes of the air passage section 502 and the supply section 33 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction is referred to as the virtual plane 707. The parting line of the container body 31 overlaps with the virtual plane 707 in the supply section 33. A parting line is a protrusion that occurs in products manufactured by casting, injection molding, etc. The area where the protrusion has been removed is also called a parting line. The parting line is located at the joint between the molds during blow molding of the container body 31.

[0074] The distance from the virtual surface 707 to the outer surface of the left wall 42 in the left-right direction is called the first distance D1. The distance from the virtual surface 707 to the outer surface of the right wall 43 in the left-right direction is called the second distance D2. The first distance D1 is longer than the second distance D2. The container body 31 is asymmetric with respect to the virtual surface 707. The volume of the container body 31 is larger on the left side of the virtual surface 707 than on the right side of the virtual surface 707.

[0075] The distance from the outer surface of the left wall 42 in the left-right direction to the bottom surface 702b of the left rib 702 is called the third distance D3. The distance from the outer surface of the right wall 43 in the left-right direction to the bottom surface 703a of the right rib 703 is called the fourth distance D4. The third distance D3 is shorter than the fourth distance D4.

[0076] As shown in Figure 4, the left rib 702 does not intersect the virtual surface 707 inside the storage chamber 46. The right rib 703 intersects the virtual surface 707 inside the storage chamber 46. In other words, a portion of the right rib 703 is located to the left of the virtual surface 707.

[0077] [Effects of the First Embodiment] The left rib 702 extends vertically, thereby improving the rigidity of the left wall 42 against vertical bending. The right rib 703 extends vertically, thereby improving the rigidity of the right wall 43 against vertical bending. The upper rib 704 extends horizontally, thereby improving the rigidity of the upper wall 44 against horizontal bending. The lower rib 705 extends horizontally, thereby improving the rigidity of the lower wall 45 against horizontal bending.

[0078] The left rib 702, right rib 703, upper rib 704, and lower rib 705 protrude less into the storage chamber 46 compared to the uneven parts in the conventional technology. The left rib 702, right rib 703, upper rib 704, and lower rib 705 have rigidity against bending even without widening, thus improving the rigidity of the container body 31. Therefore, the reduction in the volume of the storage chamber 46 that occurs to improve the rigidity of the container body 31 is suppressed.

[0079] The left rib 702, the right rib 703, the upper rib 704, and the lower rib 705 are recessed toward the interior of the storage chamber 46. Therefore, the volume of the storage chamber 46 can be maximized within the range in which the ink cartridge 30 fits into the mounting space of the cartridge case 110.

[0080] The left rib 702 is recessed toward the interior of the storage chamber 46. The distance from the bottom surface 702b of the left rib 702 to the outer surface of the left wall 42 varies along the vertical direction, being longest in the central part. On the other hand, in the first comparative example shown in Figure 6(a), the distance from the bottom surface 708a of the left rib 708 to the outer surface of the left wall 42 is constant along the vertical direction.

[0081] The distance from the bottom surface 702b of the left rib 702 in the first comparative example to the outer surface of the left wall 42 is shorter than the distance from the bottom surface 702b of the left rib 702 to the outer surface of the left wall 42 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the left rib 708 is more easily bent in the vertical direction. Consequently, even if the left rib 708 in the first comparative example is located on the left wall 42, the rigidity of the left wall 42 does not improve much.

[0082] In the second comparative example shown in Figure 6(b), the bottom surface 709a of the left rib 709 is also constant along the vertical direction, with the distance from the bottom surface 708a of the left rib 708 to the outer surface of the left wall 42 being constant. The distance from the bottom surface 702b of the left rib 702 in the second comparative example to the outer surface of the left wall 42 is longer than the distance from the bottom surface 702b of the left rib 702 to the outer surface of the left wall 42 in the first comparative example. Therefore, the rigidity of the left wall 42 is improved with respect to bending in the vertical direction with respect to the left rib 708 of the second comparative example. However, in the second comparative example, bending deformation occurs in which the left rib 709 opens in the front-rear direction, starting from the bottom surface 709a of the left rib 709. In the first embodiment, the distance from both ends in the upper direction to the left wall 42 is short, so bending deformation in which the left rib 702 opens is suppressed.

[0083] In the third comparative example shown in Figure 6(c), the angle between the left wall 42 and the upper wall 44, centered on the upper left connection point 711 between the left wall 42 and the upper wall 44, is referred to as the first angle θ1. The upper end of the left rib 710 in the third comparative example is located below the upper end of the left wall 42 and does not have an opening in the upper wall 44. As a result, the container body 31 deforms so that the left wall 42 and the upper wall 44 open up, starting from the upper left connection point 711, and the first angle θ1 becomes larger. The left rib 702 in the first embodiment has a side wall portion 702a as shown in Figure 4. Since the side wall portion 702a connects the left wall 42 and the upper wall 44, deformation that causes the left wall 42 and the upper wall 44 to open up is suppressed.

[0084] The above applies not only to the left rib 702, but also to the right rib 703 and the lower rib 705.

[0085] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the left rib 702 and the right rib 703 extend linearly in the vertical direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The lower rib 705 extends linearly in the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The left rib 702, the right rib 703, and the lower rib 705 suppress the movement of ink in the front-to-back direction inside the container body 31.

[0086] The supply section 33 and the air passage section 502 incorporate a valve. When the ink cartridge 30 is dropped with the supply section 33 and air passage section 502 facing downwards, the ink inside the container body 31 moves in the front-to-back direction, impacting the valve. The left rib 702, the right rib 703, and the lower rib 705 suppress the movement of the ink inside the container body 31 in the front-to-back direction, mitigating the impact on the valve and thus protecting the valve.

[0087] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the left rib 702 extends in the direction of the shorter side of the left wall 42. The length of the left rib 702 in the direction of extension is the shortest distance between the top and bottom edges of the left wall 42. The right rib 703 extends in the direction of the shorter side of the right wall 43. The length of the right rib 703 in the direction of extension is the shortest distance between the top and bottom edges of the right wall 43.

[0088] The lower rib 705 extends in the direction of the shorter side of the lower wall 45. The length of the lower rib 705 in the extension direction is the shortest length connecting the right side and the left side of the lower wall 45. Therefore, with the left rib 702, the right rib 703, and the lower rib 705 of the first embodiment, the reduction in the volume of the storage chamber 46 is minimized.

[0089] As shown in Figure 2, the upper rib 704 extends from the rib opening 706 of the left rib 702 in the upper wall 44. When viewed from the front in plan, the upper rib 704 and the left rib 702 overlap at the rib opening 706. Therefore, the container body 31 has high rigidity against external forces that change the angle at which the upper rib 704 and the left rib 702 intersect at the rib opening 706.

[0090] As shown in Figure 5, in the left-right direction, the first distance D1 from the parting line to the left wall 42 is longer than the second distance D2 from the parting line to the right wall 43. The parison of the left wall 42 is thinner than the parison of the right wall 43. Therefore, if the third distance D3 from the outer surface of the left wall 42 to the bottom surface of the left rib 702 is too long, the thickness of the left rib 702 will become too thin, reducing the rigidity of the left rib 702. In the first embodiment, the rigidity of the left wall 42 is ensured by shortening the third distance D3.

[0091] Since the right wall 43 is thick, the rigidity of the right rib 703 can be maintained even if the fourth distance D4 from the outer surface of the right wall 43 to the bottom surface of the right rib 703 is increased. Therefore, the rigidity of the right wall 43 is improved by increasing the fourth distance D4.

[0092] The container body 31 is asymmetrical with respect to the virtual surface 707. The volume of the container body 31 is larger on the left side of the virtual surface 707 than on the right side. The upper rib 704 extends from the left end of the upper wall 44 toward the right to the convex upper wall 44P. The upper rib 704 improves the rigidity of the portion of the container body 31 with a larger volume on the left side of the virtual surface 707.

[0093] [Modified version of the first embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the left rib 702 and the right rib 703 face each other in the left-right direction. However, the left rib 702 and the right rib 703 may be in positions that do not face each other in the left-right direction. In the container body 31 shown in Figure 7, the left rib 712 and the right rib 703 are located in different positions in the front-rear direction and do not face each other in the left-right direction. Even with this configuration, the rigidity of the container body 31 is improved.

[0094] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the left rib 702, the right rib 703, and the lower rib 705 are recessed in a U-shape in the container body 31. However, the shape of the rib recessed in the container body 31 is not limited to a U-shape; it may also be V-shaped or inverted U-shaped. In the inverted U-shape, the distance from the outer surface to the bottom surface of the rib is longer at both ends of the rib, and shorter in the center of the rib. However, in order to prevent the wall thickness of the parison from becoming thinner at the ends of the container body 31, a U-shape and a V-shape are preferable to an inverted U-shape.

[0095] As shown in Figure 8, the left rib 702 has a central rib 713 located in its center in the vertical direction. The central rib 713 is a rib that protrudes from the center of the left rib 702 toward the left wall 42 in the vertical direction. The central rib 713 as a whole is located within the left rib 702 and does not protrude beyond the left wall 42 to the left. The central rib 713 suppresses the bending of the left rib 702 in the front-rear direction, thereby improving the rigidity of the container body 31.

[0096] As shown in Figure 8, the right rib 703 recesses to the left from the right wall 43, beyond the virtual surface 707. In the supply section 33, the parting line is located on the virtual surface 707. The right rib 703, which recesses to the left beyond the parting line, has high rigidity. Therefore, the rigidity of the container body 31 is improved.

[0097] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the left rib 702, the right rib 703, the upper rib 704, and the lower rib 705 are formed during blow molding. However, the following is also possible. Instead of the first embodiment, for example, the container body 31 may be heat-treated after blow molding to form the left rib 702, the right rib 703, and the upper rib 704.

[0098] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the volume on the left side of the virtual surface 707 is larger than the volume on the right side of the virtual surface 707. Alternatively, the volume on the right side of the virtual surface 707 may be larger than the volume on the left side of the virtual surface 707. In examples other than the first embodiment, the left and right sides may also be reversed.

[0099] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the upper rib 704 protrudes upward to the outside of the storage chamber 46, and the lower rib 705 is recessed to the inside of the storage chamber 46. Alternatively, the upper rib 704 may be recessed to the inside of the storage chamber 46, and the lower rib 705 may protrude downward to the outside of the storage chamber 46.

[0100] [Second Example] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the ink cartridge 1030 of the second embodiment has a container body 1031 and a cover 1032. The container body 1031 has a front wall 1040, a rear wall 1041, a left wall 1042, a right wall 1043, an upper wall 1044, a lower wall 1045, and a storage chamber 1046. The container body 1031 also has a supply section 1033 and an atmospheric passage section 1502. The front wall 1040, rear wall 1041, left wall 1042, right wall 1043, upper wall 1044, and lower wall 1045 are outer walls.

[0101] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the front wall 1040 has an upper front wall 1040T and a lower front wall 1040B. The upper front wall 1040T is located above. The lower front wall 1040B is located below the upper front wall 1040T. The upper front wall 1040T is located in front of the lower front wall 1040B. The upper front wall 1040T has a cylindrical air passage section 1502.

[0102] The atmospheric passage section 1502 connects the area near the upper end of the storage chamber 1046 to the outside. The lower front wall 1040B is continuous with the cylindrical supply section 1033. The supply section 1033 is located below the atmospheric passage section 1502.

[0103] As shown in Figure 11, the rear wall 1041 has an upper rear wall 1041T and a lower rear wall 1041B. The upper rear wall 1041T is located above the lower rear wall 1041B, with the rear rib 1714 (described later) in between. The upper rear wall 1041T is connected to the upper wall 44. The lower rear wall 1041B is connected to the lower wall 45.

[0104] As shown in Figures 10 and 13, the left wall 1042 has a front left wall 1042F, an upper left wall 1042T, and a lower left wall 1042B. The upper left wall 1042T is located above the lower left wall 1042B, separated by the left rib 1702, which will be described later. The upper left wall 1042T is connected to the upper wall 1044. The lower left wall 1042B is connected to the lower wall 1045. The outer surface of the upper left wall 1042T and the outer surface of the lower left wall 1042B are flush.

[0105] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the right wall 1043 has a front right wall 1043F, an upper right wall 1043T, and a lower right wall 1043B. The upper right wall 1043T is located above the lower right wall 1043B, with the right rib 1703 (described later) in between. The upper right wall 1043T is connected to the upper wall 1044. The lower right wall 1043B is connected to the lower wall 1045. The outer surfaces of the front right wall 1043F, the upper right wall 1043T, and the lower right wall 1043B are flush.

[0106] As shown in Figure 11, the upper wall 1044 has a rear upper wall 1044R, a middle upper wall 1044C, and a convex upper wall 1044P. In Figure 11, the front upper wall is located in front of the middle upper wall 1044C, although it is not visible as it is covered by the cover 1032. The middle upper wall 1044C is located between the front upper wall and the rear upper wall 1044R in the front-rear direction. The convex upper wall 1044P is located to the right of the middle upper wall 1044C and the rear upper wall 1044R.

[0107] As shown in Figure 12, the lower wall 1045 has a rear lower wall 1045R. In Figure 12, the front lower wall is located in front of the rear lower wall 1045R, although it is not visible as it is covered by the cover 1032. The supply section 1033 is located to the right of the rear lower wall 1045R.

[0108] As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the front left wall 1042F, the front right wall 1043F, the front upper wall, and the front lower wall are continuous with the upper front wall 1040T. The upper left wall 1042T, the upper right wall 1043T, the rear upper wall 1044R, and the convex upper wall 1044P are continuous with the upper rear wall 1041T. The lower left wall 1042B, the lower right wall 1043B, and the rear lower wall 1045R are continuous with the lower rear wall 1041B. The cover 1032 is attached to the container body 1031. The cover 1032 covers the upper front wall 1040T, the front left wall 1042F, the front right wall 1043F, the front upper wall, and the front lower wall of the container body 1031.

[0109] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the container body 1031 has a left rib 1702, a right rib 1703, an upper rib 1704, and a rear rib 1714. The left rib 1702 and the right rib 1703 are located opposite each other in the left-right direction.

[0110] As shown in Figure 10, the left rib 1702 is located between the upper left wall 1042T and the lower left wall 1042B in the vertical direction. The left rib 1702 extends linearly in the front-rear direction. The left rib 1702 is recessed in the left wall 1042 so as to reach the interior of the storage chamber 1046.

[0111] In Figure 13, the distance from the bottom surface 1702b of the left rib 1702 to the outer surface of the left wall 42 is referred to as the eighth distance D8. The eighth distance D8 is longest at the center of the left rib 1702 in the front-rear direction. The eighth distance D8 decreases continuously from the center of the left rib 1702 towards both ends in the front-rear direction. In the left-right direction, the distance from the outer surface of the left wall 1042 to the front end of the left rib 1702 is equal to the distance from the outer surface of the left wall 1042 to the rear end.

[0112] As shown in Figures 10 and 13, the left rib 1702 opens outward toward the front between the upper front wall 1040T and the lower front wall 1040B on the front wall 1040. The left rib 1702 opens outward toward the rear between the upper rear wall 1041T and the lower rear wall 1041B on the rear wall 1041. The left rib 1702 is continuous with the rear rib 1714.

[0113] As shown in Figure 12, the right rib 1703 is located between the upper right wall 1043T and the lower right wall 1043B in the vertical direction. The right rib 1703 faces the left rib 1702 in the horizontal direction. The right rib 1703 extends linearly in the front-rear direction. The right rib 1703 is recessed in the right wall 1043 so as to reach the interior of the storage chamber 1046.

[0114] As shown in Figure 13, the right rib 1703 extends to the rear wall 1041. The left rib 1702 is continuous with the rear rib 1714. The rear rib 1714 extends toward the right wall 1043. The left rib 1702 is joined to the right rib 1703 via the rear rib 1714 at the joint 1716 in the storage chamber 46.

[0115] In Figure 13, the axis of the air passage section 1502 and the axis of the supply section 1033 overlap in a top view. In the second embodiment, the plane that includes the axes of the air passage section 1502 and the supply section 1033 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction is referred to as the virtual plane 1707. The parting line of the container body 1031 overlaps with the virtual plane 1707 in the supply section 1033.

[0116] In Figure 13, the distance from the bottom surface 1703a of the right rib 1703 to the outer surface of the right wall 1043 is referred to as the ninth distance D9. The ninth distance D9 is longest in the central part of the right rib 1703 in the front-rear direction. The ninth distance D9 decreases continuously from the central part of the right rib 1703 in the vertical direction towards both ends. In the right wall 1043, the right rib 1703 opens outwards to the right between the upper right wall 1043T and the lower right wall 1043B. In the rear wall 41, the right rib 1703 opens outwards towards the rear between the upper rear wall 1041T and the lower rear wall 1041B, and to the right of the virtual surface 1707. The front end of the right rib 1703 is located behind the front right wall 1043F in the right wall 1043.

[0117] As shown in Figure 11, the upper rib 1704 is located between the middle upper wall 1044C and the rear upper wall 1044R in the front-rear direction. The upper rib 1704 protrudes upward from the upper wall 1044 so as to reach the outside of the storage chamber 1046. The upper rib 1704 extends in a straight line from the left end of the upper wall 1044 toward the right.

[0118] In the vertical direction, the distance from the upper surfaces of the middle upper wall 1044C and the rear upper wall 1044R to the ridge of the upper rib 1704 is shortest at the left end of the upper wall 1044. In the vertical direction, the distance from the upper surfaces of the middle upper wall 1044C and the rear upper wall 1044R to the ridge of the upper rib 1704 increases as you move to the right. In the vertical direction, the distance from the upper surfaces of the middle upper wall 1044C and the rear upper wall 1044R to the ridge of the upper rib 1704 is longest at the point where it touches the convex upper wall 1044P.

[0119] As shown in Figure 11, the rear rib 1714 is located between the upper rear wall 1041T and the lower rear wall 1041B. The rear rib 1714 is recessed in the rear wall 1041 so as to reach the interior of the storage chamber 1046. The rear rib 1714 extends linearly in the left-right direction from the left end of the rear wall 1041 toward the right. In the left wall 1042, the rear rib 1714 opens between the upper left wall 1042T and the lower left wall 1042B. The rear rib 1714 is continuous with the left rib 1702.

[0120] The distance from the virtual plane 1707 to the left wall 1042 is called the sixth distance D6. The distance from the virtual plane 1707 to the right wall 1043 is called the seventh distance D7. The sixth distance D6 is longer than the seventh distance D7. The container body 1031 is asymmetric with respect to the virtual plane 1707.

[0121] The distance from the outer surface of the left wall 1042 to the bottom surface 1702b of the left rib 1702 is referred to as the eighth distance D8. The distance from the outer surface of the right wall 1043 to the bottom surface 1703a of the right rib 1703 is referred to as the ninth distance D9. The eighth distance D8 is shorter than the ninth distance D9. The left rib 1702 does not intersect the virtual surface 1707 inside the storage chamber 1046. The right rib 1703 intersects the virtual surface 1707 inside the storage chamber 1046, and a portion of the right rib 1703 is located to the left of the virtual surface 1707.

[0122] As shown in Figure 9, a rectangular label 1607 is attached to the upper and rear of the left wall 1042. The upper edge of the label 1607 extends in the front-to-back direction along the upper end of the left wall 1042. The lower edge of the label 1607 extends in the front-to-back direction parallel to the upper edge of the label 1607. The right edge 1607R of the label 1607 extends vertically in the central part of the left wall 1042. The left edge of the label 1607 extends vertically along the rear end of the left wall 1042.

[0123] Label 1607 covers a portion of the left rib 1702. The left rib 1702 extends in the longitudinal direction between the upper and lower edges of label 1607. The left rib 1702 has a constricted portion 1702a. The constricted portion 1702a is an example of the first portion. The portion of the left rib 1702 other than the constricted portion 1702a is an example of the second portion.

[0124] In the vertical direction, the width of the constricted portion 1702a is narrower than the width of the left rib 1702 excluding the constricted portion 1702a. In the front-rear direction, the constricted portion 1702a is located within the range that includes the right edge 1607R of the label 1607.

[0125] [Effects of the second embodiment] At the right edge 1607R of label 1607, the wider the left rib 1702 is in the vertical direction, the wider the area where label 1607 is floating without adhering to the left wall 1042. Therefore, label 1607 is more likely to peel off from the left wall 1042. In the second embodiment, the left rib 1702 has a constricted portion 1702a, so at the right edge 1607R of label 1607, the area where label 1607 is floating without adhering to the left wall 1042 is narrower. Therefore, label 1607 is less likely to peel off from the left wall 1042.

[0126] [Modified version of the second embodiment] In the second embodiment, a configuration was described in which the left rib 1702 extends linearly in the front-rear direction, but the left rib 1702 may bend along the way. In Figure 14, the left rib 1715 has a horizontal portion 1715a and an oblique portion 1715b. The horizontal portion 1715a and the oblique portion 1715b are connected at position 1715c. The horizontal portion 1715a is located between the upper left wall 1042T and the lower left wall 1042B in the vertical direction. The horizontal portion 1715a extends linearly in the front-rear direction from the rear to position 1715c.

[0127] Position 1715c is located at the front end of the left wall 1042 and at the left end of the front wall 1040. The slanted portion 1715b is located on the front wall 1040. The slanted portion 1715b extends linearly forward from position 1715c in a diagonal downward direction. The horizontal portion 1715a is an example of a first straight portion, and the slanted portion 1715b is an example of a second straight portion. Even with such a left rib 1715, the rigidity of the container body 1031 is improved.

[0128] Ribs other than the left rib 1715 may also be bent midway, and ribs extending vertically may also be bent midway.

[0129] [Third Embodiment] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the ink cartridge 2030 has a container body 2031 and a cover 2032. The container body 2031 has a front wall 2040, a rear wall 2041, a left wall 2042, a right wall 2043, an upper wall 2044, a lower wall 2045, and a storage chamber 2046. The container body 2031 further has a supply section 2033 and an atmospheric passage section 2502.

[0130] As shown in Figures 16 and 18, the front wall 2040 has an upper front wall 2040T and a lower front wall 2040B. The upper front wall 2040T is located above. The upper front wall 2040T has an air passage section 2502. The lower front wall 2040B is located below and behind the upper front wall 2040T. The lower front wall 2040B is continuous with the supply section 2033.

[0131] As shown in Figures 15 and 18, the left wall 2042 has, in order from front to back, a first left wall 2042A, a second left wall 2042B, and a third left wall 2042C. The left wall 2042 further has a fourth left wall 2042D and a fifth left wall 2042E. The outer surface of the second left wall 2042B and the outer surface of the third left wall 2042C are flush. The outer surface of the fourth left wall 2042D and the outer surface of the fifth left wall 2042E are flush. The front wall 2040 is located between the first left wall 2042A and the second left wall 2042B in the front-rear direction.

[0132] The first left rib 2702A, described later, is located between the second left wall 2042B and the third left wall 2042C. The second left rib 2702B, described later, is located between the third left wall 2042C and the fourth left wall 2042D. The third left rib 2702C, described later, is located between the fourth left wall 2042D and the fifth left wall 2042E. The first left wall 2042A, the second left wall 2042B, the third left wall 2042C, the fourth left wall 2042D, and the fifth left wall 2042E are connected to the upper wall 2044 above. The first left wall 2042A, the second left wall 2042B, the third left wall 2042C, the fourth left wall 2042D, and the fifth left wall 2042E are connected to the lower wall 2045 below.

[0133] As shown in Figures 16 and 18, the right wall 2043 has, in order from front to back, a first right wall 2043A, a second right wall 2043B, and a third right wall 2043C. The right wall 2043 further has a fourth right wall 2043D and a fifth right wall 2043E. The outer surfaces of the first right wall 2043A, the second right wall 2043B, the third right wall 2043C, the fourth right wall 2043D, and the fifth right wall 2043E are flush. The first right rib 2703A, which will be described later, is located between the second right wall 2043B and the third right wall 2043C. The second right rib 2703B, which will be described later, is located between the third right wall 2043C and the fourth right wall 2043D.

[0134] The third right rib 2703C, described later, is located between the fourth right wall 2043D and the fifth right wall 2043E. The first right wall 2043A, the second right wall 2043B, the third right wall 2043C, the fourth right wall 2043D, and the fifth right wall 2043E are connected to the upper wall 2044 above. The first right wall 2043A, the second right wall 2043B, the third right wall 2043C, the fourth right wall 2043D, and the fifth right wall 2043E are connected to the lower wall 2045 below.

[0135] As shown in Figure 15, the upper wall 2044 has, in order from front to back, a second upper wall 2044A, a third upper wall 2044B, a fourth upper wall 2044C, and a fifth upper wall 2044D. In Figure 15, although not visible as it is covered by the cover 2032, the upper wall 2044 has a first upper wall in front of the second upper wall 2044A. The first upper rib 2704A, which will be described later, is located between the second upper wall 2044A and the third upper wall 2044B. The second upper rib 2704B, which will be described later, is located between the third upper wall 2044B and the fourth upper wall 2044C. The third upper rib 2704C, which will be described later, is located between the fourth upper wall 2044C and the fifth upper wall 2044D.

[0136] The first upper wall, the second upper wall 2044A, the third upper wall 2044B, the fourth upper wall 2044C, and the fifth upper wall 2044D are connected to the left wall 2042 to the left. Upper wall 2044 further has a convex upper wall 2044P. The convex upper wall 2044P is located to the right of the second upper wall 2044A, the third upper wall 2044B, the fourth upper wall 2044C, and the fifth upper wall 2044D. The convex upper wall 2044P is connected to the first front wall in front and to the right wall 2043 to the right. The fifth upper wall 2044D and the convex upper wall 2044P are connected to the rear wall 2041 to the rear.

[0137] As shown in Figure 16, the lower wall 2045 has, in order from front to back, a second lower wall 2045A, a third lower wall 2045B, and a fourth lower wall 2045C. In Figure 16, although not visible as it is covered by the cover 2032, the lower wall 2045 has a first lower wall in front of the second lower wall 2045A. The first lower rib 2705A, which will be described later, is located between the second lower wall 2045A and the third lower wall 2045B. The second lower rib 2705B, which will be described later, is located between the third lower wall 2045B and the fourth lower wall 2045C. The third lower rib 2705C, which will be described later, is located within the fourth lower wall 2045C.

[0138] The first lower wall, the second lower wall 2045A, the third lower wall 2045B, and the fourth lower wall 2045C are connected to the left wall 2042 on the left side. The first lower wall, the second lower wall 2045A, the third lower wall 2045B, and the fourth lower wall 2045C are connected to the right wall 2043 on the right side. The front wall 2040 is located between the first lower wall and the second lower wall 2045A. The fourth lower wall 2045C is connected to the rear wall 2041 at the rear.

[0139] As shown in Figure 18, the first left wall 2042A, the first right wall 2043A, the first upper wall, and the first lower wall are continuous with the upper front wall 2040T. The cover 2032 is attached to the container body 2031 so as to cover the first left wall 2042A, the first right wall 2043A, the first upper wall, the first lower wall, and the upper front wall 2040T.

[0140] As shown in Figure 15, the container body 2031 has a first left rib 2702A, a second left rib 2702B, and a third left rib 2702C. The container body 2031 has a first upper rib 2704A, a second upper rib 2704B, and a third upper rib 2704C. As shown in Figure 16, the container body 2031 has a first right rib 2703A, a second right rib 2703B, and a third right rib 2703C. The container body 2031 has a first lower rib 2705A, a second lower rib 2705B, and a third lower rib 2705C.

[0141] As shown in Figures 17(a) to 17(c), the first left rib 2702A and the second left rib 2702B are recessed in the left wall 2042 so as to reach the interior of the storage chamber 2046. The third left rib 2702C is also recessed in the left wall 2042 so as to reach the interior of the storage chamber 2046. The first left rib 2702A, the second left rib 2702B, and the third left rib 2702C open upwards in the upper wall 2044. The first left rib 2702A, the second left rib 2702B, and the third left rib 2702C open downwards in the lower wall 2045.

[0142] The first left rib 2702A is continuous with the first upper rib 2704A. The second left rib 2702B is continuous with the second upper rib 2704B. The third left rib 2702C is continuous with the third upper rib 2704C.

[0143] The first right rib 2703A, the second right rib 2703B, and the third right rib 2703C are recessed in the right wall 2043 so as to extend into the interior of the storage chamber 2046. In the vertical direction, the length of the first right rib 2703A is shorter than the lengths of the second right rib 2703B and the third right rib 2703C. The bottom of the second right rib 2703B has a portion where the distance from the right wall 2043 is constant in the vertical direction. The bottom of the third right rib 2703C also has a portion where the distance from the right wall 2043 is constant in the vertical direction.

[0144] The upper end of the first right rib 2703A is located below the convex upper wall 2044P. The second right rib 2703B and the third right rib 2703C open upward at the upper wall 2044. The first right rib 2703A, the second right rib 2703B, and the third right rib 2703C open downward at the lower wall 2045.

[0145] The virtual plane containing the axes of the atmospheric passage section 2502 and the supply section 2033 is referred to as the virtual plane 2707. The distance from the third left wall 2042C to the virtual plane 2707 is referred to as the tenth distance D10. The distance from the fourth left wall 2042D to the virtual plane 2707 is referred to as the eleventh distance D11. The eleventh distance D11 is longer than the tenth distance D10.

[0146] The distance from the third left wall 2042C to the bottom of the second left rib 2702B is referred to as the 12th distance D12. The distance from the fourth left wall 2042D to the bottom of the third left rib 2702C is referred to as the 13th distance D13. The 13th distance D13 is longer than the 12th distance D12.

[0147] [Effects of the third embodiment] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the container body 2031 according to the third embodiment has a longer length in the front-to-back direction compared to its length in the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, as in the third embodiment, if ribs extending linearly in the direction of the short side of the outer wall are positioned at multiple locations in the front-to-back direction, the rigidity of the container body 2031 can be ensured.

[0148] As shown in Figure 17, in the container body 2031, the length of the first right rib 2703A in the vertical direction is shorter than the lengths of the second right rib 2703B and the third right rib 2703C. Therefore, when the second right rib 2703B is made U-shaped when viewed from the front-to-back direction, the distance from the third right wall 2043C to the bottom surface of the second right rib 2703B becomes longer in the central part in the vertical direction. Similarly, when the third right rib 2703C is made U-shaped when viewed from the front-to-back direction, the distance from the fourth right wall 2043D to the bottom surface of the third right rib 2703C becomes longer in the central part in the vertical direction. When the distance from the right wall 2043 to the bottom surface of the second right rib 2703B is long, the thickness of the parison of the second right rib 2703B becomes thinner, and the rigidity of the second right rib 2703B decreases. If the distance from the right wall 2043 to the bottom surface of the third right rib 2703C is long, the thickness of the parison of the third right rib 2703C will decrease, and the rigidity of the third right rib 2703C will decrease.

[0149] In the third embodiment, the bottoms of the second right rib 2703B and the third right rib 2703C have portions that extend linearly in the vertical direction. Therefore, the length of the distance from the third right wall 2043C to the bottom surface of the second right rib 2703B is suppressed, thus ensuring the rigidity of the second right rib 2703B. The length of the distance from the fourth right wall 2043D to the bottom surface of the third right rib 2703C is also suppressed, thus ensuring the rigidity of the third right rib 2703C.

[0150] In the container body 2031, the 11th distance D11 is longer than the 10th distance D10. Therefore, the thickness of the parison of the 4th left wall 2042D is thinner than the thickness of the parison of the 3rd left wall 2042C. In order to ensure the rigidity of the 4th left wall 2042D, which has a thin parison, the 13th distance D13 is longer than the 12th distance D12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 30, 1030, 2030... Ink cartridges 31, 1031, 2031... Container body 31F...1st part 31R...Second part 33, 1033, 2033...supply section 42, 1042, 2042... Left wall 43, 1043, 2043...Right wall 44, 1044, 2044... Upper wall 45, 1045, 2045... Lower wall 702, 708, 709, 710, 712, 1702, 1715... Left rib 703, 1703... Right rib 704, 1704... Upper rib 705...Lower Rib 706... Rib opening 1607... Label 1607R...Right edge 1702a...Stenosis 1715a...Horizontal part 1715b...diagonal section

Claims

1. It has a blow-molded housing, The above enclosure is The exterior walls and It has a liquid chamber surrounded by the above-mentioned outer wall, The above-mentioned outer wall has a recess that extends linearly into the interior of the above-mentioned liquid chamber, forming a liquid cartridge.

2. The above exterior wall is, The left wall and, The right wall and, The upper wall and Including the lower wall, The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recess is located in the left wall or the right wall and opens in at least the upper wall or the lower wall.

3. It has a supply unit that connects the above liquid chamber to the outside, The above exterior wall is, The first wall, located on either the left or right side as viewed from the above supply unit, It includes a second wall located on the left and right sides, different from the first wall, as viewed from the supply section, The liquid chamber is located between the first wall and the second wall. The parting line is located in the above supply section. The first distance along the left-right direction from the first wall to the parting line of the supply unit is longer than the second distance along the left-right direction from the second wall to the parting line of the supply unit. The above recess is located in the second wall, The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the recess is located closer to the first wall than the parting line of the supply section.

4. The above exterior wall is, The upper wall and Including the lower wall, The upper wall or the lower wall has a protrusion that extends in a straight line and extends to the outside of the liquid chamber, The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the convex portion extends following the opening in the upper or lower wall of the concave portion.

5. The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the recess extends to the vicinity of the parting line in the upper wall or the lower wall.

6. The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the recess and the protrusion intersect in the upper wall or the lower wall.

7. The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the recess extends to the upper wall or the lower wall.

8. In the upper wall or the lower wall, the recess and the protrusion intersect, The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the recess extends in the vertical direction to the outer wall opposite the outer wall on which the protrusion is located, among the upper wall and the lower wall.

9. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the recess opens in the upper wall and opens in the lower wall.

10. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recess described above extends in the vertical direction.

11. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recess described above extends in the left-right direction.

12. The above exterior wall has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recess extends along the short-side direction of the outer wall.

13. The above-mentioned recess includes a first recess located on the left wall and a second recess located on the right wall. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first recess and the second recess extend in the same direction and are located opposite each other in the left-right direction.

14. The liquid cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the first recess and the second recess have a joint that is joined in the liquid chamber.

15. The above-mentioned recess includes a first recess located on the left wall and a second recess located on the right wall. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first recess and the second recess extend in the same direction and are not in opposing positions in the left-right direction.

16. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the recess includes a first recess located on the left wall and a second recess located on the left wall.

17. The liquid cartridge according to claim 16, wherein the depth of the first recess and the depth of the second recess are different.

18. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recess has portions of varying depths.

19. The liquid cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the depth of the recess changes to a U-shape.

20. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recess has portions with different opening widths in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recess extends linearly.

21. The exterior wall further has a label attached to cover a portion of the recess, The liquid cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the width of the first portion located at the edge of the label is smaller than the width of the second portion not located at the edge of the label.

22. The above-mentioned recess has a first linear portion extending in a straight line and a second linear portion extending in a straight line. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the first straight portion extends and the direction in which the second straight portion extends intersect.

23. The above liquid chamber and the atmospheric passage section that communicates with the outside, A liquid cartridge according to claim 1, comprising a supply unit located below the above-mentioned air passage and communicating the liquid chamber with the outside.

24. The above liquid chamber has a supply unit that communicates with the outside, The parting line is located in the above supply section. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the recessed portion is recessed inside the liquid chamber beyond the parting line.

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