container

Abstract

The present application provides a technology capable of suppressing positional displacement of an element possessed by a component constituting a container in the container. The container includes a liquid container body having a liquid container portion that contains a liquid and a liquid supply portion, and an adapter that is attached to the liquid container body and has a terminal arrangement portion that is arranged at one end side in a longitudinal direction of the adapter and in which a container-side terminal that is electrically connected to a device-side terminal is arranged, and an insertion opening portion that is arranged at the other end side in the longitudinal direction and through which the liquid introduction portion is inserted, the adapter having a notch between the terminal arrangement portion and the insertion opening portion in the longitudinal direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a technology regarding a container. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, a container composed of a plurality of components is known (Patent Literature 1). In the related art, in order to suppress deformation at the time of manufacturing the components and to increase dimensional accuracy of the plurality of components, at least one of the plurality of components is molded from a material containing polylactic acid.

[0003] [Related Art Document]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-283557

[0006] In the related art, a material containing polylactic acid is required to be used as a material of the components, and thus there is a case where a degree of freedom in selecting the material of the components is reduced. In a case where the material of the components is limited, for example, there is a case where it is difficult to provide the components of the container with other functions such as impact resistance, assembly property, chemical resistance, and the like. Further, in the related art, the components are molded from a material containing polylactic acid, however, dimensional accuracy of the components cannot be sufficiently increased by only the material, and a positional shift of an element provided to the components can occur. SUMMARY

[0007] According to the aspect of the present application, there is provided a container which is detachably attached to a container attachment portion of a printing device, the container attachment portion having a device-side terminal and a liquid introduction portion which receives a liquid. The container includes a liquid container body having a liquid container portion which contains the liquid and a liquid supply portion, and an adapter which is attached to the liquid container body and has a terminal arrangement portion which is arranged at one end side in a longitudinal direction of the adapter and which is arranged with a container-side terminal which is electrically connected to the device-side terminal, and an insertion opening portion which is arranged at the other end side in the longitudinal direction and which is inserted through by the liquid introduction portion, the adapter having a notch which is arranged between the terminal arrangement portion and the insertion opening portion in the longitudinal direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a structure of a printing system as an embodiment of the present application.

[0009] Figure 2 is a view showing the container attachment portion as viewed from the +Z direction side.

[0010] Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2 .

[0011] Figure 4 isFigure 3 Enlarged view of the area indicated by arrow A in Fig. 1.

[0012] Figure 5 Perspective view of the first container.

[0013] Figure 6 Side view of the first container.

[0014] Figure 7 Exploded perspective view of the first container.

[0015] [REFERENCE NUMERALS]

[0016] 1: printing system; 2: printing paper; 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K: container; 4A: first container; 4B: second container; 6: container mounting portion; 8: cover member; 10: printing device; 13: replacement cover; 15: operation button; 20: carriage; 22: discharge head; 24: tube; 30: drive mechanism; 31: control portion; 32: timing belt; 34: drive motor; 41: container main body; 42: front wall; 43: upper wall; 44: bottom wall; 45: first side wall; 46: second side wall; 47: rear wall; 50: circuit substrate; 61: accommodation chamber; 67: first device wall; 70: device-side terminal portion; 73: holding mechanism; 82: adapter front wall; 84: adapter bottom wall; 85: first adapter side wall; 86: second adapter side wall; 87: adapter rear wall; 88: notch; 89: corner portion; 90: terminal arrangement portion; 401: liquid container; 402: adapter; 431: container bottom wall; 442: liquid supply portion; 446: insertion opening portion; 448: supply portion positioning portion; 450: liquid accommodation portion; 497: container engaging portion; 521: container-side terminal; 610: support member; 613: main wall; 625: urging member; 642: liquid introduction portion; 642a: base end; 642b: tip end; 644: supply portion positioning portion; 644a: one end portion; 644b: other end portion; 674: plug-in opening portion; 677: engaging formation; 697: mounting engaging portion; 698: rotation fulcrum; 699: liquid storage portion; 721: device-side terminal; 739: connector; 750: terminal holding portion; 780: urging member; 782: mounting member; 821: first notch; 822: second notch; 830: upper end surface; 831: supply portion arrangement portion; 835: first upper end surface; 836: second upper end surface; CA1: center axis; CA2: center axis; CPA: adapter central portion; D2: connection direction; Fa: external force; Ft1: external force; Rp: terminal rotation fulcrum. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A. Embodiment:

[0018] A-1. Structure of the printing system:

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the printing system 1 as an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 The X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, which are three spatial axes orthogonal to each other, are depicted in the figure. The directions in which the arrows of the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are directed show the positive directions along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, respectively. The positive directions along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are set as the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively. The directions opposite to the directions in which the arrows of the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are directed are the negative directions along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis, respectively. The negative directions along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are set as the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. The directions along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis regardless of the positive or negative directions are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. The same applies to the figures and descriptions shown later.

[0020] The printing system 1 is provided with a printing device 10 and a container 4 that supplies ink as a liquid to the printing device 10.

[0021] The printing device 10 of the present embodiment is an inkjet printer that ejects ink as a liquid from a nozzle head 22. The printing device 10 is a large printer that performs printing on a large-sized paper (A2 to A0, etc.) such as a poster. The printing device 10 is provided with a container mounting portion 6, a control portion 31, a carriage 20, the nozzle head 22, and a driving mechanism 30. In addition, the printing device 10 is provided with an operation button 15 for a user to operate the operation of the printing device 10.

[0022] A plurality of containers 4 are detachably mounted to the container mounting portion 6. In the present embodiment, one of each of four kinds of containers 4 corresponding to black, yellow, magenta, and cyan inks, that is, a total of four containers 4 are mounted to the container mounting portion 6. The container 4 that contains black ink is also referred to as a container 4K, the container 4 that contains yellow ink is also referred to as a container 4Y, the container 4 that contains magenta ink is also referred to as a container 4M, and the container 4 that contains cyan ink is also referred to as a container 4C. In the present embodiment, the container 4K is configured to be able to contain more liquid than the containers 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Thus, the container 4K is also referred to as a first kind of container 4A, and the containers 4C, 4M, and 4Y are also referred to as a second kind of container 4B.

[0023] The printing device 10 has a replacement cover 13 on the front side in the +Y direction. If the +Z direction side of the replacement cover 13 is turned upside down as the proximal side in the +Y direction, an opening of the container mounting portion 6 appears and the attachment and detachment of the container 4 can be performed. If the container 4 is attached to the container mounting portion 6, ink can be supplied to the ejection head 22 provided in the carriage 20 via a tube 24 as a liquid flow pipe. In the present embodiment, for example, ink is supplied from the container 4 to the ejection head 22 by a water level difference. Specifically, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 by a water level difference between the liquid surface of the ink in the container mounting portion 6 and the ejection head 22. In addition, in other embodiments, ink in the container 4 can be sucked by a pump mechanism not shown in the printing device 10, and thus supplied to the ejection head 22. In addition, the tube 24 is provided corresponding to each kind of ink. Here, a state in which the container 4 is attached to the container mounting portion 6 and ink as a liquid can be supplied to the printing device 10 is also referred to as an "attached state".

[0024] In the ejection head 22, a nozzle is provided corresponding to each kind of ink. The ejection head 22 ejects ink toward the printing paper 2 from the nozzle and prints data such as characters or images. In addition, in the present embodiment, the printing device 10 is a printer referred to as a so-called "non-carriage loading type" in which the container mounting portion 6 is not linked to the movement of the carriage 20. A printer referred to as a so-called "carriage loading type" in which the container mounting portion 6 is provided in the carriage 20 and moves together with the carriage 20 can also apply the technology of the present application.

[0025] The control portion 31 performs control of each portion of the printing device 10 and transmission and reception of signals with the container 4. The carriage 20 relatively moves the ejection head 22 with respect to the printing paper 2.

[0026] The drive mechanism 30 reciprocally moves the carriage 20 according to a control signal from the control portion 31. The drive mechanism 30 has a synchronous belt 32 and a drive motor 34. By transmitting the power of the drive motor 34 to the carriage 20 via the synchronous belt 32, the carriage 20 is reciprocally moved in a main scanning direction as a direction along the X direction. In addition, the printing device 10 has a conveyance mechanism for moving the printing paper 2 in a sub scanning direction as the +Y direction. When printing is performed, the printing paper 2 is moved in the sub scanning direction by the conveyance mechanism, and the printing paper 2 after printing is output on the front cover 11.

[0027] Additionally, an area called the initial position is provided outside the printing area where the carriage 20 moves in the main scanning direction. A maintenance mechanism is mounted in the initial position to perform maintenance for normal printing. The maintenance mechanism consists of a cover member 8, a lifting mechanism (not shown), and a suction pump (not shown). The cover member 8 is pressed against the surface on the bottom side of the printhead 22 where the nozzle is formed, and forms a closed space around the nozzle. The lifting mechanism raises and lowers the cover member 8 to press against the nozzle surface of the printhead 22. The suction pump introduces negative pressure into the closed space formed by the cover member 8 pressing against the nozzle surface of the printhead 22.

[0028] In this embodiment, when the printing system 1 is in use, the axis along the sub-scanning direction of transporting the printing paper 2 is designated as the Y-axis, the axis along the gravity direction is designated as the Z-axis, and the axis along the moving direction of the carrier 20 is designated as the X-axis. Here, "the printing system 1 in use" refers to the state in which the printing system 1 is set on a horizontal plane. In addition, in this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction is designated as the +Y direction, its opposite direction is designated as the -Y direction, the gravity direction is designated as the -Z direction, and the anti-gravity direction is designated as the +Z direction. The X and Y directions are horizontal directions. In addition, when the printing system 1 is viewed from the front, the direction from right to left is designated as the +X direction, and its opposite direction is designated as the -X direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the insertion direction of the container 4 into the container mounting part 6 for installation is the -Y direction, and the direction of removing the container 4 from the container mounting part 6 is the +Y direction. Therefore, the -Y direction side of the container mounting part 6 is also called the inner side, and the +Y direction side is also called the near-front side. In addition, in this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the plurality of containers 4 is the X direction.

[0029] A-2. Overview of the installation status of container 4:

[0030] Figure 2 This is a view of the container mounting section 6 from the +Z direction side. Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A sectional view along line 3-3. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of region R4. Figure 2 In the middle, container 4K is installed in container mounting section 6. Use Figures 2-4 This section describes the installation process and general structure of container 4. The installation process and status are identical for containers 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K.

[0031] like Figure 3As shown, the container 4 is inserted into the housing chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6 via a plugging opening portion 674 of a first device wall 67 of the container mounting portion 6 by being pushed into the container mounting portion 6 along an insertion direction as the -Y direction. Thus, the housing chamber 61 houses the container 4. The plugging opening portion 674 is an entrance of the container 4 to the housing chamber 61. In a state where the container 4 is inserted into the housing chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6, the container 4 is supported by a support member 610 of the container mounting portion 6 from the -Z direction side. In addition, in a state where the container 4 is mounted in the housing chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6, a liquid supply portion 442 of the container 4 is connected to a liquid introduction portion 642 of the container mounting portion 6. Thus, the liquid housed in the liquid housing portion 450 of the container 4 is supplied to the liquid introduction portion 642 via the liquid supply portion 442. In addition, in the present embodiment, the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply portion 442 to the liquid introduction portion 642, and on the other hand, the air housed in the liquid storage portion 699 becomes bubbles and circulates in the liquid introduction portion 642, the liquid supply portion 442, and the liquid housing portion 450. Thus, gas-liquid exchange of the liquid housing portion 450 is performed. In addition, in other embodiments, the container 4 can have an atmosphere communication path that communicates the liquid housing portion 450 with the outside, and gas-liquid exchange is performed via the atmosphere communication path. The atmosphere communication path is disposed at a position different from the liquid supply portion 442, for example, is formed in a wall that forms the liquid housing portion 450.

[0032] The liquid introduction portion 642 receives the liquid supplied from the container 4. The liquid introduction portion 642 is a tubular member that has an internal flow path that allows the liquid to circulate inside. The liquid introduction portion 642 has a base end 642a and a tip end 642b. An opening that communicates with an introduction portion flow path that is the internal flow path is formed in the tip end 642b, and via the opening, the ink of the liquid supply portion 442 circulates to the introduction portion flow path. The base end 642a is connected to the liquid storage portion 699 so that the ink that circulates in the introduction portion flow path circulates to the liquid storage portion 699. The liquid storage portion 699 is located on the -Z direction side of the housing chamber 61. The liquid storage portion 699 communicates with the liquid introduction portion 642 via the tube 24. Figure 1 The tube 24 shown communicates with the ejection head 22. As described above, the liquid introduction portion 642 communicates with the ejection head 22 via the liquid storage portion 699 and the tube 24. A central axis CA1 of the liquid introduction portion 642 is parallel to a central axis CA2 of the liquid supply portion 442 in the mounted state, and is inclined with respect to the Z direction. That is, a direction along the central axis CA1 of the direction in which the liquid introduction portion 642 extends intersects the insertion direction of the container 4. The central axis CA2 of the liquid supply portion 442 is a direction along the direction in which the liquid supply portion 442 extends.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid supply portion 442 of the container 4 is connected to the liquid introduction portion 642 of the container mounting portion 6. The liquid supply portion 442 is a tubular member that has an internal flow path that allows the liquid to circulate inside. The liquid supply portion 442 has a base end 442a and a tip end 442b. An opening that communicates with an introduction portion flow path that is the internal flow path is formed in the tip end 442b, and via the opening, the ink of the liquid supply portion 442 circulates to the introduction portion flow path. The base end 442a is connected to the liquid housing portion 450 so that the ink that circulates in the introduction portion flow path circulates to the liquid housing portion 450. The liquid housing portion 450 is located on the -Z direction side of the housing chamber 61. The liquid housing portion 450 communicates with the liquid supply portion 442 via the liquid storage portion 699. Figure 4As shown, in the mounted state of the container 4, the circuit board 50 of the container 4 is electrically connected by contacting the device-side terminal portion 70 of the container mounting portion 6. The device-side terminal portion 70 is held by the holding mechanism 73. The device-side terminal portion 70 has a plurality of device-side terminals 721, a terminal holding portion 750, and a connector 739.

[0034] The plurality of device-side terminals 721 are provided with nine in the present embodiment. The plurality of device-side terminals 721 are each a plate member of a metal having electrical conductivity. The device-side terminal 721 has a terminal rotation fulcrum Rp, and a portion that contacts the container-side terminal 521 of the circuit board 50 as an end portion, as a fulcrum of the terminal rotation fulcrum Rp, is elastically deformable. The direction of the elastic deformation is a direction along the Y direction and the Z direction. The terminal holding portion 750 holds the plurality of device-side terminals 721. The connector 739 is electrically connected to the plurality of device-side terminals 721. The connector 739 is further electrically connected to the control portion 31 of the printing device 10 by a wiring not shown. Thus, the circuit board 50 and the control portion 31 are capable of data communication.

[0035] The holding mechanism 73 has a biasing member 780 and a mounting member 782. The biasing member 780 is constituted by a coil spring. The mounting member 782 is configured to have the biasing member 780 on the inner side. Further, the device-side terminal portion 70 is mounted to the mounting member 782. The biasing member 780 is compressed in a state in which the insertion of the container 4 into the container mounting portion 6 is completed. Thus, the biasing member 780 applies an external force Fa in a direction toward the dismounting direction side of the container 4 as the first device wall 67 side to the device-side terminal portion 70 via the mounting member 782. Since the device-side terminal portion 70 is pressed against the circuit board 50 by the external force Fa, the contact of the device-side terminal 721 and the container-side terminal 521 is maintained well.

[0036] As described above, the holding mechanism 73 holds the device-side terminal portion 70 so as to be displaceable in a direction along the insertion direction of the container 4. Further, one end portion of the device-side terminal portion 70 side of the biasing member 780 is configured to be slightly movable in the X direction and the Z direction that cross the insertion direction. Thus, the device-side terminal portion 70 is held by the holding mechanism 73 so as to be slightly movable in the X direction and the Z direction that cross the insertion direction.

[0037] The mounting process of the container 4 to the container mounting portion 6 is constituted by a terminal connection process and a supply portion connection process performed after the terminal connection process. The terminal connection process is a process of electrically connecting the circuit board 50 of the container 4 to the device-side terminal portion 70 of the container mounting portion 6 by contacting the device-side terminal portion 70 via the terminal connection portion 520 of the circuit board 50. Figure 3The insertion opening part 674 of the first device wall 67 is shown. The container 4 is inserted into the accommodation chamber 61 of the container mounting part 6 by moving in the -Y direction, and the device-side terminal 721 is brought into contact with the container-side terminal 521 to be electrically connected. The supply part connection process is a process in which, while maintaining electrical connection between the device-side terminal 721 and the container-side terminal 521, the container 4 is moved in the connection direction D2 shown by the arrow on the rear side 47 by using the rotation support point 698 of the support member 610 as a support point, and the liquid introduction part 642 is connected to the liquid supply part 442. The rotation support point 698 is provided on the second device wall 62 side of the container mounting part 6.

[0038] In the supply part connection process, the device-side supply part positioning part 644 of the container mounting part 6, which is a protrusion, enters the supply part positioning part 448 of the container 4, which is a recessed shape, and thereby the movement intersecting the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 is restricted by the liquid supply part 442. Thus, the positioning of the liquid supply part 442 with respect to the liquid introduction part 642 is performed. The device-side supply part positioning part 644 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The device-side supply part positioning part 644 has one end part 644a and the other end part 644b. The one end part 644a is located on the liquid storage part 699 side. The one end part 644a is located on the accommodation chamber 61 side more than the other end part 644b.

[0039] In the installed state of the container 4, the main wall 613 that forms the bottom of the support member 610 is inclined with respect to the Y direction. Specifically, the main wall 613 of the support member 610 is inclined so as to be on the -Z direction side as the lower side as it goes toward the +Y axis direction. In the initial configuration state of the container mounting part 6 in which the container 4 is not installed, this main wall 613 is parallel to the Y direction.

[0040] The container mounting part 6 has a force applying member 625 that applies an external force Ft1 to the support member 610 in order to return the support member 610 to the position of the initial configuration state in the installed state of the container 4. The force applying member 625 is a coil spring that is provided between the support member 610 and the liquid storage part 699 and is in a compressed state in the installed state. The external force Ft1 having a +Z direction component is applied to the support member 610 by the compressed state. On the other hand, in the installed state of the container 4, the installed state is maintained by the engagement of the container engagement part 497 of the container 4 with the mounting engagement part 697 of the container mounting part 6. The mounting engagement part 697 is formed in the engagement forming body 677 of the container mounting part 6 on the first device wall 67 side.

[0041] In the case of taking out the container 4 from the container mounting portion 6, the user rotates and moves the container 4 with the rotation support point 698 as a support point in a connection release direction D3 which is a direction opposite to the connection direction D2 by lifting the rear wall 47 side of the container 4. Thus, the mounting engagement portion 697 is displaced by being pressed by the main body of the container 4, and the engagement of the mounting engagement portion 697 with the container engagement portion 497 is released. After the user releases the engagement of the mounting engagement portion 697 with the container engagement portion 497, the user takes out the container 4 from the container mounting portion 6 by moving the container 4 in the +Y direction which is a direction of detachment.

[0042] A-3. Detailed structure of the container 4:

[0043] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first container 4A. Figure 6 is a side view of the first container 4A. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the first container 4A. The first container 4A differs from the second container 4B shown in Figure 1 in the volume of the liquid containing portion 450. Specifically, the width of the liquid containing body 401 of the first container 4A described later is larger than the width of the liquid containing body 401 of the second container 4B, and thus the volume of the liquid containing portion 450 is different. As to other structures such as the adapter 402, since the first container 4A and the second container 4B are the same, the detailed structure of the container 4 will be described below using the first container 4A. In addition, the first container 4A will be simply referred to as the container 4 hereinafter. As to the drawings showing the container 4, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are based on the state before the supply portion connection process in which the support member 610 is rotated and moved, in the end state of the terminal connection process which is the state in which the insertion of the container 4 into the container mounting portion 6 is completed. That is, as to the drawings showing the container 4, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are based on the state before the supply portion connection process in which the support member 610 is rotated and moved, in the end state of the terminal connection process which is the state in which the insertion of the container 4 into the container mounting portion 6 is completed.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5 , the container 4 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the container 4, the direction along the -Y direction which is the direction of insertion into the container mounting portion 6 is the long side direction, the X direction is the short side direction which is the width direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. In the container 4, the size in the long side direction is the largest, and the size in the short side direction is the smallest.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5 , the container 4 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the container 4, the direction along the -Y direction which is the direction of insertion into the container mounting portion 6 is the long side direction, the X direction is the short side direction which is the width direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. In the container 4, the size in the long side direction is the largest, and the size in the short side direction is the smallest. Figure 7As shown, the container body 41 is composed of two components. Specifically, the container body 41 is provided with a liquid container body 401 and an adapter 402 that is attached to the liquid container body 401 by fitting. That is, the liquid container body 401 has a plurality of container body attachment portions such as engagement grooves that attach the adapter 402. Further, the adapter 402 has a plurality of adapter attachment portions such as engagement claws that correspond to the plurality of attachment portions of the liquid container body 401.

[0046] The liquid container body 401 and the adapter 402 have the largest dimension in the Y direction that is the longitudinal direction. The liquid container body 401 and the adapter 402 are each molded by, for example, injection molding of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The liquid container body 401 and the adapter 402 can be formed of the same material or different materials. In the present embodiment, at least the portion of the liquid container body 401 that attaches the adapter 402 has a rigidity greater than the rigidity of the adapter 402. The rigidity can be adjusted by the thickness, shape, and material of the components.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the container 4 has a container body 41 and a liquid supply portion 442. The liquid supply portion 442 is attached to the container body 41. The liquid supply portion 442 is a liquid supply container that supplies liquid to the liquid supply portion 442. The liquid supply portion 442 is a liquid supply container that supplies liquid to the liquid supply portion 442. Figure 5 As shown, the container body 41 of the container 4 has a front wall 42, a rear wall 47, an upper wall 43, a bottom wall 44, a first side wall 45, a second side wall 46, and a corner portion 89. Each of the walls 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 is also referred to as each of the faces 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47. The front wall 42 and the rear wall 47 are opposed in the Y direction that is the insertion direction. The upper wall 43 and the bottom wall 44 are opposed in the Z direction. The Z direction is parallel to the central axis CA2 that is in the extension direction of the liquid supply portion 442. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 are opposed in the X direction.

[0048] The front wall 42 is on the insertion direction side into which the container 4 is inserted into the attachment portion 6. That is, the front wall 42 forms an insertion tip face on the -Y direction side that is the insertion direction side. The rear wall 47 forms a face on the +Y direction side that is the detachment direction. The upper wall 43 is on the +Z direction side and intersects the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. The bottom wall 44 is on the -Z direction side that is the gravity direction side in the attached state and forms a connection tip face on the connection direction D2 side. Figure 3 The bottom wall 44 is on the connection direction D2 side. The bottom wall 44 intersects the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. The insertion opening portion 446 is formed in the bottom wall 44 for the liquid guide portion 642 to be inserted through. The insertion opening portion 446 and the liquid supply portion 442 are in an overlapping positional relationship when the container 4 is viewed from the bottom wall 44 side. In the present embodiment, the liquid supply portion 442 is disposed so that the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply portion 442 passes through the insertion opening portion 446.

[0049] The first sidewall 45 is located on the -X direction side, and the second sidewall 46 is located on the +X direction side. The first sidewall 45 and the second sidewall 46 intersect the front wall 42, the rear wall 47, the upper wall 43, and the bottom wall 44, respectively. A corner portion 89 is provided at the corner where the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44 intersect. The corner portion 89 has a concave terminal arrangement portion 90 that is recessed inward. The circuit board 50 is mounted on the terminal arrangement portion 90.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown, the liquid container 401 has a liquid receiving section 450 for receiving liquid and a liquid supply section 442. The liquid supply section 442 is a cylindrical component that protrudes from the bottom wall 431 of the liquid container 401, which is opposite to the upper wall 43.

[0051] Adapter 402 includes a front wall 82, a rear wall 87, a bottom wall 84, a first side wall 85, and a second side wall 86. The front wall 82 forms part of the front wall 42, creating an insertion front face on the -Y direction side, which is the insertion direction. The rear wall 87 forms part of the rear wall 47 and is opposite to the front wall 82 in the Y direction. The bottom wall 84 forms the bottom wall 44. The bottom wall 84 intersects with the front wall 82 and the rear wall 87. Figure 5 As shown, an insertion opening 446 is formed on the bottom wall 84 of the adapter for the liquid inlet 642 to be inserted and pass through.

[0052] The first adapter sidewall 85 intersects with the adapter bottom wall 84 and extends in the Y direction, which is the long side direction of the adapter 402. The first adapter sidewall 85 is a plate-like wall that rises from the adapter bottom wall 84 toward the liquid container 401. The second adapter sidewall 86 is opposite to the first adapter sidewall 85 in the X direction, which is the width direction of the adapter 402. The second adapter sidewall 86 intersects with the adapter bottom wall 84 and extends in the Y direction, which is the long side direction of the adapter 402. The second adapter sidewall 86 is a plate-like wall that rises from the adapter bottom wall 84 toward the liquid container 401.

[0053] The adapter 402 is a concave shape with the adapter bottom wall 84 as its base. An opening is located on the side of the adapter 402 opposite to the adapter bottom wall 84, through which the liquid supply section 442 is disposed and accommodated. This portion of the adapter 402 for the liquid supply section 442 is also referred to as the supply section placement section 831. The opening, located on the side opposite to the adapter bottom wall 84, is defined by the upper end faces 830 of the first adapter side wall 85, the second adapter side wall 86, the adapter front wall 82, and the adapter rear wall 87. Here, the upper end face of the first adapter side wall 85 is also referred to as the first upper end face 835, and the upper end face of the second adapter side wall 86 is also referred to as the second upper end face 836.

[0054] As Figure 5 shown, the adapter 402 is provided with the terminal arrangement portion 90 and the insertion opening portion 446 described above. The terminal arrangement portion 90 is provided at a corner portion 89 where the adapter front wall 82 and the adapter bottom wall 84 intersect. The terminal arrangement portion 90 is located at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402, and the circuit board 50 including the container-side terminal 521 electrically connected to the device-side terminal 721 is arranged therein. In the present embodiment, the one end side in the longitudinal direction is the insertion direction side of the container 4. The insertion opening portion 446 is located at the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402. That is, in a case where the center in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402 is taken as an adapter center portion CPA, the terminal arrangement portion 90 is located between the adapter center portion CPA and the adapter front wall 82 in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402. In addition, the insertion opening portion 446 is located between the adapter center portion CPA and the adapter rear wall 87 in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402.

[0055] As Figure 7 shown, the adapter 402 has a notch 88 between the terminal arrangement portion 90 and the insertion opening portion 446 in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402. The notch 88 is formed in the first adapter side wall 85 and the second adapter side wall 86, respectively. The notch 88 formed in the first adapter side wall 85 is also referred to as a first notch 821, and the notch 88 formed in the second adapter side wall 86 is also referred to as a second notch 822. In a case where the first notch 821 and the second notch 822 are not distinguished, the notch 88 is used.

[0056] The first notch 821 has an elongated shape extending from a first upper end face 835 of the first adapter side wall 85 toward the adapter bottom wall 84 side. The first notch 821 penetrates the first adapter side wall 85 in the thickness direction. The second notch 822 has an elongated shape extending from a second upper end face 836 of the second adapter side wall 86 toward the adapter bottom wall 84 side. The second notch 822 penetrates the second adapter side wall 86 in the thickness direction. By providing the notch 88 in an elongated shape extending from the upper end faces 835, 836 of the first adapter side wall 85 and the second adapter side wall 86 toward the adapter bottom wall 84 side, the notch 88 can be easily formed in the first adapter side wall 85 and the second adapter side wall 86.

[0057] The first notch 821 and the second notch 822 are arranged at positions opposite to each other in the width direction of the adapter 402. In the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402, the first notch 821 and the second notch 822 are formed at the adapter central portion CPA or a position close to the adapter central portion CPA, respectively. In addition, the formation positions of the first notch 821 and the second notch 822 are not limited to the above-described positions, and can be positions between the terminal arrangement portion 90 and the insertion opening portion 446 in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402. The first notch 821 and the second notch 822 can be formed at the time of injection molding of the adapter 402 by previously defining the shapes by a mold, or can be formed by performing notch processing after the injection molding of the adapter 402.

[0058] Here, the adapter 402 is formed by molding synthetic resin. In addition, since the side of the adapter 402 opposite to the adapter bottom wall 84 is open, deformation is likely to occur at the time of manufacture compared to the liquid container body 401 in which the entire body is formed by a wall. For example, there is a case where the adapter 402 is deformed due to shrinkage of the adapter 402 after molding, and the size of the adapter 402 deviates from the designed value. However, according to the above-described embodiment, the rigidity of the adapter can be reduced by the notches. Thus, at the time of mounting of the adapter 402 in the liquid container body 401, the adapter 402 can be deformed into a shape capable of being mounted in the liquid container body 401. That is, at the time of mounting of the adapter 402 in the liquid container body 401, the shape of the adapter 402 can be corrected so that the adapter mounting portion of the adapter 402 is positioned at a position corresponding to the container mounting portion of the liquid container body 401. Thus, since the outer dimensions of the adapter 402 are determined by the state of being mounted in the liquid container body 401, the positional deviation of the elements such as the terminal arrangement portion 90, the insertion opening portion 446, the supply portion positioning portion 448, and the like, which cooperate with the container mounting portion 6, with respect to the liquid container body 401 can be suppressed. In addition, since the shape of the adapter 402 can be corrected, it is not necessary to improve the dimensional accuracy at the time of manufacture of the adapter 402.

[0059] In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the notches 88 are formed in plural. Thus, since the rigidity of the adapter 402 can be further reduced, the adapter 402 can be deformed into a shape capable of being more easily mounted in the liquid container body 401. In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the notches 88 are formed in the first adapter side wall 85 and the second adapter side wall 86 extending in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402. Thus, even in a case where the dimensional accuracy of the adapter 402 is low due to shrinkage after molding, by applying an external force to the adapter from both sides of the notches 88 in the longitudinal direction, the adapter 402 can be deformed into a shape capable of being easily mounted in the liquid container body 401. Figure 7 Figure 7 In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the notches 88 are formed in plural. Thus, since the rigidity of the adapter 402 can be further reduced, the adapter 402 can be deformed into a shape capable of being more easily mounted in the liquid container body 401. In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the notches 88 are formed in the first adapter side wall 85 and the second adapter side wall 86 extending in the longitudinal direction of the adapter 402. Thus, even in a case where the dimensional accuracy of the adapter 402 is low due to shrinkage after molding, by applying an external force to the adapter from both sides of the notches 88 in the longitudinal direction, the adapter 402 can be deformed into a shape capable of being easily mounted in the liquid container body 401. ​

[0060] Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 7 the first adapter side wall 85 has a first notch 821 and the second adapter side wall 86 has a second notch 822. Thereby, the adapter 402 can be deformed into a shape that can be more easily fitted to the liquid container 401.

[0061] B. Other Embodiments:

[0062] B-1. First Other Embodiment:

[0063] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 7 two notches 88 are provided, however, one or three or more notches 88 can be provided. Further, the notches 88 are not limited to being provided in the first adapter side wall 85 and the second adapter side wall 86. For example, the notches 88 can be provided in the adapter bottom wall 84.

[0064] B-2. Second Other Embodiment:

[0065] The present application is not limited to inkjet printers and their ink containers, and can be applied to containers installed in any printing device that ejects a liquid other than ink. For example, the present application can be applied to various printing devices and their containers as follows.

[0066] (1) Image recording devices such as facsimile devices;

[0067] (2) Printing devices that eject color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays;

[0068] (3) Printing devices that eject electrode materials used in the formation of electrodes for organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, field emission displays (FEDs), and the like;

[0069] (4) Printing devices that eject liquids containing biological organic matter used in the manufacture of biochips;

[0070] (5) Sample printing devices as precision pipettes;

[0071] (6) Printing devices for lubricating oil;

[0072] (7) Printing devices for resin liquids;

[0073] (8) Printing devices that precisely eject lubricating oil to precision machinery such as watches and cameras;

[0074] (9) A printing device that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet-curing resin liquid on a substrate in order to form a minute hemispherical lens (optical lens) or the like used in an optical communication element or the like;

[0075] (10) A printing device that ejects an acidic or alkaline etching liquid in order to etch a substrate or the like;

[0076] (11) Other printing devices that have a liquid ejection head that ejects an arbitrary minute amount of liquid droplets.

[0077] In addition, "liquid droplets" refer to the state of liquid ejected from a printing device, and also include a granular state, a tear-like state, and a trailing filament-like state. Furthermore, "liquid" as used herein refers to a material that can be ejected from a printing device. For example, "liquid" refers to a material in a state in which a substance is in a liquid phase, and also includes a material in a liquid state of high or low viscosity, a sol, a gel, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and the like. In addition, "liquid" is not limited to a liquid in a state of a substance, and also includes a substance formed by dissolving, dispersing, or mixing functional material particles such as pigments or metal particles in a solvent, and the like. In addition, representative examples of liquid include ink or liquid crystals described in the above embodiments, and the like. Here, ink refers to various liquid-like compositions including general water-based ink, oil-based ink, and gel ink, hot-melt ink, and the like.

[0078] C. Other Modes:

[0079] The present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or in order to achieve some or all of the above-described effects, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features of each of the modes described below can be appropriately replaced, combined, or deleted. Furthermore, the technical features can be appropriately deleted as long as the technical features are not described as being essential in the present specification.

[0080] (1) According to the present application, a container is provided which is detachably attached to a container attachment portion of a printing device, the container attachment portion having a device-side terminal and a liquid introduction portion which receives a liquid. The container includes a liquid container body having a liquid container portion which contains the liquid and a liquid supply portion, and an adapter which is attached to the liquid container body and has a terminal arrangement portion which is arranged at one end side in a longitudinal direction of the adapter and which is provided with a container-side terminal which is electrically connected to the device-side terminal, and an insertion opening portion which is arranged at the other end side in the longitudinal direction and through which the liquid introduction portion is inserted, the adapter having a notch which is arranged between the terminal arrangement portion and the insertion opening portion in the longitudinal direction. According to this aspect, the rigidity of the adapter can be reduced by the notch. Thus, when the adapter is attached to the liquid container body, the adapter can be deformed into an attachable shape. Thus, since the outer dimensions of the adapter are determined by the state of attachment to the liquid container body, the positional deviation of the terminal arrangement portion and the insertion opening portion with respect to the liquid container body can be suppressed.

[0081] (2) In the above aspect, the notch can be formed in a plurality of portions. According to this aspect, since the rigidity of the adapter can be further reduced, the adapter can be deformed into a shape which is more easily attachable to the liquid container body.

[0082] (3) In the above aspect, the adapter can have an adapter bottom wall which forms the insertion opening portion, and an adapter side wall which intersects the adapter bottom wall and extends in the longitudinal direction, the notch being formed in the adapter side wall. According to this aspect, the notch is formed in the adapter side wall which extends in the longitudinal direction. Thus, even in the case where the dimensional accuracy of the adapter itself is low, in the longitudinal direction, by applying an external force to the adapter from both sides of the notch, the adapter can be deformed into a shape which is easily attachable to the liquid container body.

[0083] (4) In the above aspect, the adapter side wall can have a first adapter side wall which has a first notch as the notch, and a second adapter side wall which opposes the first adapter side wall and which has a second notch as the notch. According to this aspect, since the first adapter side wall and the second adapter side wall are provided, the adapter can be deformed into a shape which is easily attachable to the liquid container body.

[0084] (5) In the above aspect, the adapter side wall can have an upper end surface which divides an opening which is arranged on the opposite side of the adapter bottom wall, the notch extending from the upper end surface in the adapter side wall toward the adapter bottom wall side. According to this aspect, the notch can be easily formed in the adapter side wall.

[0085] The present application can be realized in various ways, such as a method of manufacturing a container, in addition to the above-described manner.

Claims

1. A container which is detachably attached to a container attachment portion of a printing device, the container attachment portion of the printing device having a device-side terminal and a liquid introduction portion which receives a liquid, wherein The container includes: a liquid container body having a liquid container portion that contains liquid and a liquid supply portion; and an adapter that is mounted to the liquid container body and has a terminal arrangement portion that is located on one end side in a longitudinal direction of the adapter and is arranged with a container-side terminal that is electrically connected to the device-side terminal, and an insertion opening portion that is located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction and through which the liquid introduction portion is inserted, the adapter has a notch between the terminal arrangement portion and the insertion opening portion in the longitudinal direction, the adapter has an adapter bottom wall in which the insertion opening portion is formed, and an adapter side wall that intersects the adapter bottom wall and extends in the longitudinal direction, the notch is formed in the adapter side wall, the adapter side wall has an upper end surface that divides an opening located on the opposite side of the adapter bottom wall, the notch extends from the upper end surface in the adapter side wall toward the adapter bottom wall side, the rigidity of the adapter is reduced by the notch.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of notches are formed.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the adapter side wall has a first adapter side wall and a second adapter side wall that opposes the first adapter side wall, the first adapter side wall has a first notch as the notch, the second adapter side wall has a second notch as the notch.

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